Simon Field: Attractive purple color, then floral aromatic and a hint of brioche and baking spice, all positive so far. The palate is a little pinched, its littoral scenic and pleasantly appointed, its aspiration modest yet well judged. A pleasant mid-palate weight, the sweet fruit and floral generosity pleasantly garlanding the balustrade. | 88

Andrew Jefford: Dark black-red though with less lingering opacity than most of its 2000 peers. Warm and enticing, though rather soft-focus aromas. Attractive sweet black fruits with a dusty sheen. On the palate, this is rather fiery and forceful, and the fruit style is very ripe, but it has the mass and force of its vintage carrying it forward. Another good medium-term choice. | 89

Richard Mayson: Deep opaque center, vibrant purple rim; still closed and withdrawn on the nose, underlying dark-chocolate intensity; lovely, almost tropical, richness on the palate, big, firm, spicy tannins leading to a long, vibrant finish, but I don’t see much in the way of finesse here as yet. Big and bold. 2023–50. | 89