La Macération du Soula No.21 NV

Le Soula: a 20-year-old estate that feels like it’s been around for ever. Founded by Gerard Gauby and UK importers Mark Walford and Roy Richards in 2001, what sets apart Le Soula from the bulk of Roussillon’s uninspiring producers is altitude, biodynamics, and old vines. A multi-vintage blend of Sauvignon blanc, Macabeu, Grenache and several other grape varieties, this morphs in the glass from mandarin, peach, and red apple to black tea and bitter herbs. There’s some gentle grip from skin maceration, but with none of that rasping dryness palatable only to orange freaks.