Simon Field: Articulate, mannered, delicate and powerful. A balletic ensemble to marry the sunshine of the vintage with its inherent power and potential. Rich, ripe and, most importantly, elegant... Very good indeed. 18.5

Andrew Jefford: More in the black spectrum than the red. Sweet, warm, fresh, enticing, not hugely tight-grained but absolutely correct. Firm, full, deep, forceful, with sustained tannins; yet at this stage of development one is always looking for something a little extra and excessive, which this doesn’t quite have. However, it does drive, thrust and push impressively, and the fruit core is powerfully aromatic: it could be the dark horse of the flight. 17.5

Richard Mayson: Deep opaque colour, thin crimson rim. Closed and withdrawn. Tight, firm and spicy. Middle- to heavyweight with big tannins. It finishes well. 15.5