Alison Buchanan: Deep tawny with an amber rim, this has immediate appeal. The nose presents nut praline, marmalade, and fragrant spice— appetizing and warming—a heartening festive nose. The palate reflects the aromatics of the nose, suggesting warm fruitcake, orange- infused crème brûlée, and roasted nuts—a fireside wine with which to set the world to rights, both indulgent and elegant. | 94

Andrew Jefford: This looks much older than the ten years old it apparently claims, with dark walnut- brown hues and a suggestion of green along the meniscus. It smells very well aged, too: pressed vine fruits, crushed nuts, just a whisper of gratifying toffee and caramel: a fine aromatic profile, promising much. On the palate, it is deep, luscious, close-textured, and vivid with bright, apple-fresh acidity; it has gratifying burned raisin, black treacle, and sun-dried fig flavors, and the fortification is seamless. I find it hard to believe that this isn’t an older wine than it claims to be, or that it is blended with some much older components, and if it is selling at 10 Year Old prices then it is likely to be an outstanding buy. | 93

Margaret Rand: Massive, powerful, and in-your-face. Big, black, coffee, chocolate, blackberry flavors (not much on the nose), all very plain-speaking. A wine that calls a spade a spade. Good pungency and good complexity, even if it does shout a bit. | 87