Simon Field: Pitch-black, oh so dark, this appears to be Port in extremis; the heat does not answer, the structure is compromised; too much of a good thing, maybe... | 86

Andrew Jefford: Saturated, deep red-black, and still opaque at the core. Meaty, yeasty, livid, and fresh aromas; youthful and energetic, though a little unresolved and primary. This is the case on the palate, too: a much fleshier wine than our other 2005, with ample tannins. Very sweet fruits; ample, rich, soft in terms of the fruit itself—then the tannins close in, and you suddenly realize that this is a very grippy wine also. Complete, exciting, intense, and still ageworthy, with lovely blackcurrant perfumes. | 90

Richard Mayson: Very deep opaque color, thin crimson rim; open, ripe, hot-country fruit, big and plummy on the nose but not lacking in purity or definition. Rich licorice- and tar-like fruit initially; big, ripe, spicy, mouth-filling tannins. Hefty wine yielding to a ripe but rather short finish. 2020–45. | 90