A fabulous effort, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Cadiac is made from a blend similar to the 2011’s. Its opaque purple color is followed by gorgeous aromas of sweet black currants, truffles, forest floor, kirsch, licorice and roasted herbs. Dense and full-bodied with laser-like precision and very good acidity in its multidimensional finish, it will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and should last for two decades. This estate’s 36+ acres are all located in the northern tier of Chateauneuf du Pape, in such well-known vineyard sites (or, as the French call them, lieux-dits) as Chapouin, Coudoulet and La Gardiole. For years, most of Berthet-Rayne’s wine was sold to leading negociants, and while some still is, they now produce about 2,000 cases of their traditional cuvee of Chateauneuf du Pape, followed by just under 1,000 cases of an oak-aged cuvee and 200 or so cases of a luxuriously rich offering called Cadiac. The 2011s are very good. The bottled 2010s have turned out to be as good as I thought they were last year. Importers: Elite Wine Import Co., Lorton, VA; tel. (703) 339-8150; Eagle Eye Imports, Bloomfield Hills, MI; tel. 734-467-7088; Casa Bruno LLC, Portland, OR; tel. (503) 235-7429 and Blue Coast International, 60 East 42nd Street, Suite 1753, New York, New York 10165,Tel: (212) 867-0073 www.berthet-rayne.fr

The impressive 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Cadiac is composed primarily of Grenache with some Mourvedre from the two sectors in the northeastern part of the appellation called Coudoulet and Chaupoin. Its deep ruby/plum color is followed by abundant aromas of strawberries, cherries, earth, underbrush, licorice and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied, dense and concentrated with sweet tannins and an opulent mouthfeel, it should drink nicely for 10-15 years. (Not yet released)Although I did not have an opportunity to taste them from bottle, readers may remember that my reviews of the unbottled 2009s in issue #191 included the following ratings: 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition (87-89), 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cadiac (90-92), 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Fut de Chene (86-88), and 2009 Elixir des Papes (84-86?).Importers: Elite Wine Import Co., Lorton, VA; tel. (703) 339-8150; Eagle Eye Imports, Bloomfield Hills, MI; tel. 734-467-7088; Ted Edward Wine Ltd., New York, NY (no phone number available); and Casa Bruno LLC, Portland, OR; tel. (503) 235-7429