Simon Field: Dark ruby color, a smoky nose, blue remembered fruit in the background... A feminine style, perfumed, floral, graceful, and somewhat unusual—and also very welcome within the context of a powerful and sometimes masculine vintage. Poised and refreshing, the wine does not lack for tannic support or alcoholic power, for sure, but has a pleasing balletic quality that is hard to resist. | 95

Andrew Jefford: Dark black-red, just beginning to inch away from opacity. Lots of rich black fruits and what almost seems like (but surely can’t be) some new-wood smoky-sweetness; perhaps this vanilla shades into sandalwood. On the palate, the wine is laden with sweet, rich fruits: black cherry, blackberry, loganberry, and blueberry. There are firm, sustained, and penetrating tannins to give it some sobriety and a little minty freshness. Excellent, generous Port, with a spring in its step still. A sleeper. | 92

Richard Mayson: Very deep opaque color, thin crimson rim; still closed and sullen on the nose, underlying depth waiting to emerge; rich and fleshy on the palate, dark chocolate depth supported by big, ripe, broad tannins, ripeness combined with freshness, which suggests elegance in future. Keep five years at least and drink 2025–60. | 97