Sourced solely from the galets roulés and clay of the la Solitude lieu-dit, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Barberini is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre. Aged in a mix of new oak and tank, it offers up scents of cedar, vanilla, black cherries and red raspberries on the nose but also complex hints of truffle and garrigue. In the mouth, it's full-bodied and a bit marked by dry oak tannins on the palate, with hints of hickory smoke and silk on the finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.

A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, grown on classic clay-and-galets soils, 60% of the 2018 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Barberini spent time in barriques or demi-muids, with the rest in concrete. Despite the elevage, it's not overtly toasty or cedary on the nose, offering up hints of café au lait and clove atop a base of black cherries and plums. Medium to full-bodied, it's concentrated and yet also restrained, staying focused and tight in style, then finishing with super length and freshness.

Aged in 40% new oak barrels (the rest is in older oak or in concrete), the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Barberini is a big contrast to the regular bottling. It's 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah, showing toasty, oaky notes layered over cola, dried spices and ripe cherries. It's full-bodied and silky yet structured, with a bit of chewy woodiness on the finish.