Bruno Besa | Garnet to pink. Open, spicy, prunes and black-cherries nose. A touch developed, with earthy, animal undertones. Medium body, with sweet prunes and tobacco palate. A touch short on the finish. | 89

Andrew Jefford | Very dark (though still translucent) black-red. Expressive, generous aromas; warm and enticing, indeed this wine almost seems to have the expansiveness of a generous vintage to it. Vineyards in the south of the region? Plum fruits with violet finesse. There’s unusual generosity on the palate, too, and untrammeled ripeness: a big bow wave of fruit pushing forward. The tannins are soft and understated, and the acidity is ripe in style and balanced. Holly leaf on the finish, but that adds freshness, zest, and excitement. Wholly successful in the vintage context. | 93

Michael Palij | The nose shows a worrying degree of oak, with licorice, tar, star anise, cinnamon, cedar, and exotic spices. The fruit eventually succumbs to the weight of oak and pressure from the alcohol on the palate. This is a very showy 2014, but it lacks acidity and the concentration of fruit to support the oak and the alcohol. This will struggle to develop further and remains atypical for the vintage. | 87