Full yellow-gold in color, this has obviously had longer in bottle than most wines here. The nose is savory and opulent, with the fruit aromas running from lemon to melon and even to pineapple. The acidity is excellent and well balances all this opulent fruit. Very rich, exotic white, which could easily fulfill the function of a red at table. Gloriously opulent, with complexity, stature, and presence. 19 points

The white 2009 Le Soula - composed primarily of Sauvignon Blanc, Macabeu and Grenache Blanc; and aged mostly in used demi-muids, with a bit left in tank - had been assembled but not yet bottled when I visited and tasted it in April. Heliotrope, honeysuckle, quince, pineapple, and Persian melon on the nose put me in a bit in mind of Grenache Gris or Chenin; although lime and grapefruit (with the nicely-integrated bitterness of their rinds), cassis and honeydew melon - all of which become more prominent on the palate - certainly point toward Sauvignon. I tasted this f rom a two day old bottle that displayed a slightly awkward juxtaposition of textural creaminess vanilla cream flavor with the wine`s citric, bright elements; whereas when recreated in the moment, those aspects of the assemblage seemed harmonious. While less exuberant than its 2008 counterpart, this finishes with admirable refreshment and complexity, no doubt in part a testimony to the ability of these vineyards to offset the effects of 2009 heat, but also to the synergy of an unorthodox blend. I suspect one will want to enjoy this over the next couple of years. 89-90 points