The most impressive Rasteau to have ever passed these lips, the 2016 Rasteau Cuvee Fleur de Confiance is a full-bodied, richly muscular wine that takes all the warmth and power of the appellation and somehow turns it elegant. Black cherries, licorice and cocoa all come together seamlessly into a cascade of spice, cola and fruit, then ends with great length, soft tannins and finely ground stone. The secret to this 4,000-bottle cuvée is old-vine Grenache grown on blue clay. At the time of my visit, it was unclear if there will be a Fleur de Confiance bottled in 2017.

The most impressive wine in the stable, the 2015 Rasteau Cuvee Fleur de Confiance displays some exotic spice notes (cumin?), red raspberry fruit and a rich, velvety texture. It's a star in the making that could use another year or two in the bottle to fully knit together. It's effectively all Grenache grown on blue-clay soils, which perform well during hot, dry years.

I couldn't resist looking at the 2014 Rasteau Cuvee Fleur de Confiance, which is still available at the domaine. It's a medium to full-bodied wine that's already drinking well, with red fruit, lovely herb and spice shadings and a long, creamy finish. It's a great effort for the vintage.

As with the Prestige, the 2012 Rasteau Cuvee Fleur de Confiance is more fresh and elegant, with medium to full-bodied richness, polished tannin and terrific length on the palate. Aromatically, it has lots of floral nuances intermixed with notes of sweet black cherries, leather, sappy herbs and mint. A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, it can be consumed anytime over the coming decade.

The most tannic and concentrated of the lineup, the 2011 Rasteau Cuvee Fleur de Confiance is a smoking blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah that spent 18 months in larger oak barrels. Loaded with smoky black fruits, barbequed meat, green herbs and sappy flower-like aromas and flavors, it flows onto the palate with a medium to full-bodied profile that carries superb focus and freshness, solid concentration and big tannin. Everything is in the right proportions and this is one serious 2011 that should benefit from short-term cellaring. Give bottle another year or three and enjoy through 2023. Drink 2015-2023. One of the top producers in Rasteau, Domaine la Soumade is run by the father son pair of Andre and Frederic Romeo. Importer: Serge Dore Selections, Chappaqua, NY; tel. (914) 861-9206