Simon Field: Dark and regal, obsidian self-assurance; smoky and faintly enigmatic, aromatically pleasing, therefore; then there is pronounced licorice and cassis on the palate. The still- persuasive tannins recall the hot year, the acidity uncompromised, spearmint and incense somehow battle it out behind. The ensemble is dextrous, neatly poised—linear and strangely persuasive. | 90

Andrew Jefford: Saturated, deep black-red in color, this is a younger-looking Port than any of our 2004 cohort: impressive. This is a second bottle, yet even so the aromas seem to me to be a little compromised, scalped and cardboardy. Nonetheless, the black fruits we can discern are impressively youthful and forceful. A great shame that this is not a more pristine bottle. Deep and gutsy in style, with ample black fruits and licorice spice. The wine is still textured, with some soft tannins, though a question mark remains over its cleanliness. Good, possibly even very good, Vintage Port, and a cleaner bottle could win a top score. | 88

Richard Mayson: Very deep opaque color withathin purple rim; super-ripe and minty on the nose withatouch of eucalypt. Similarly ripe and minty on the palate, cassis backed by big, bold, ripe tannins; it makes up in power what it lacks in finesse. Foursquare finish without much elegance. Drink now and over the next 20 years. | 88