A 50-50 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre aged in new barrels, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Cadiac looks to have considerable potential. Charming aromas of pepper, allspice and ripe cherries lead the way, followed by a full-bodied palate that's concentrated and richly tannic, ending on notes of dark fruit and spice. This could need as much as five years to soften, but it should drink well for more than a decade after that.

The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Cadiac, a 50-50 blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, was aged entirely in new barrels, so let the oak-averse beware. That said, this is one sexy beast of a wine, wrapped in a velvety cloak of oak-derived tannin, vanilla and baking spices. There's some dark fruit and Christmas spice throughout, balanced by a long, richly textured finish. It should drink well for 15 years.

Offering more depth and richness than the classic cuvée, the 2013 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Cadiac is a blend of equal parts Syrah and Grenache that all comes from the Chapouin lieu-dit in the northeastern corner of the appellation. Aged 18 months in new barrels, it has plenty of black cherry, roasted garrigue, leather and scorched earth notes to go with a medium-bodied, focused, fresh feel on the palate. The oak is nicely integrated and it should be very good, if not outstanding.

The most impressive of the lineup, the tiny production 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Cadiac (an even split of Grenache and Mourvedre) has rocking aromatics of potpourri, dried flowers, violets and sweet black raspberry and cassis. Medium to full-bodied, rich and nicely textured, with solid concentration and depth, it should benefit from a couple years of bottle age and have 12-15 years or so of total longevity. There’s still some noticeable oak here, yet it has the fruit and richness to handle it. Drink 2016-2027. These solid efforts come from the northern part of the appellation and, aside from their traditionally styled base cuvee (which is very good), show varying degrees of oak and relatively modern characters. The slightly richer and more concentrated 2012s seemed to handle this elevage more successfully than the more up-front 2011s. Nevertheless, these are all solid, well made efforts. In addition to the wines reviewed here, they also produce a 100% Grenache bottling called the Elixir des Papes. 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

Also with a decidedly modern flare, yet with additional fruit and depth, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Cadiac is a blend of equal parts Grenache and Mourvedre. Offering up solid notes of vanilla-laced blackberry, cedar plank, spice-box and licorice, this medium to full-bodied, balanced effort has excellent mid-palate depth and a good finish. While I could do without some of the overriding oak overtones here, this is nicely done in the style. Drink now-2021. These solid efforts come from the northern part of the appellation and, aside from their traditionally styled base cuvee (which is very good), show varying degrees of oak and relatively modern characters. The slightly richer and more concentrated 2012s seemed to handle this elevage more successfully than the more up-front 2011s. Nevertheless, these are all solid, well made efforts. In addition to the wines reviewed here, they also produce a 100% Grenache bottling called the Elixir des Papes. 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