Made from 50- to 100-year-old vines, the 2017 Rasteau Cuvee Confiance is a foudre-aged blend of 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. It shows more freshness than the younger-vine cuvées, featuring raspberry and garrigue notes on the nose. Still full-bodied and rich on the palate, it adds hints of chocolate on the long, velvety finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with generally consistent notes, although one bottle was a bit more chewy-tannic than the other.

Another terrific wine from this benchmark estate is the 2017 Rasteau Cuvée Confiance. Based on 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre, raised all in foudre, it offers powerful notes of blackcurrants, ground herbs, garrigue, and peppered meat. Medium to full-bodied, it stays nicely polished and elegant on the palate, with fine tannins and outstanding purity. It's a beautiful wine that's already drinking nicely yet will keep for a decade.