Simon Field: Deep colour, and a nose that somehow manages to combine vanillin, white pepper and blackberries. On the palate, the spirit sits slightly awkwardly, the fruit has a slightly jejune artifice and the tannins are not integrated. All this may be the folly of youth. 14.5

Richard Mayson: Stewed fruit on the nose. Jam. Tastes jammy, too, but finishes quite well with nice, spicy, tannic grip. 13

Jancis Robinson: Blackish intense purple - one of the deepest colours of all. Obviously lots there but very little on the nose other than alcohol at first sniff. Some sweet tea em erged on the nose. Masses of weight of fruit and then very dry tannins, but acidity well managed. Lots of alcohol on the finish plus some black pepper. A wine full of promise. Masses of character there. Douro in a bottle. Hint of putty. 17.5