Simon Field: A very dense color, then heavy aromatics, with cassis and lavender vying for attention; quite “heavy” on the palate, with no shortage of burn and even a recollection of Douro bake. A commendable effort for a tricky year, the art of its construction far from discreet, its finish rather starkly etched. | 87

Andrew Jefford: Very deep, opaque black-red. This has relatively dry aromas, resembling sturdy (Portuguese and indeed Douro) table wine as much as sweet Port: plum, elder, and sloe, with lots of rummaged earth, cracked peppercorns, leather, and tobacco. Very articulate, if unusual in style. A provocative and powerful aroma that keeps one returning to the glass. On the palate, the wine is intense and vivid, less textured perhaps than the color suggested, only medium-sweet, with impressive blackcurrant, sloe, and elder fruits and lots of tobacco complexities on the finish. Serious and authoritative, nonetheless, and a wine of this quality makes one wonder why others couldn’t find the support for a Vintage wine. | 92

Richard Mayson: Very deep opaque color, thin purple rim; lovely, pure mint and cassis aromas, open, fresh, but still with more to give; rich and soft, plenty of flesh surrounding broad, ripe, powerful tannins, leading to a peacock’s-tail finish. Still bold and youthful, impressive now but give this another five years for it to show more elegance and finesse. | 93