Simon Field: Rich purple colour, youthful hue. The nose is quite closed and reticent. On the palate, quite ripe but uncomplicated red berry fruits. Appealing and nicely integrated without being hugely com plicated. For relatively early drinking. Very agreeable, well-made wine. 16.5

Andrew Jefford: Less dense than most of the 2000s, this is red-black but with a lower level of viscosity. Vivid youthful scents of crushed black fruits, but without the lunging super-youthful vegetal stemminess of the best of the 2001s. Dense, full, tight-grained, lovely sweet fruit; this has fine width and fullness, with good peppery punch towards the end. Not quite the ultimate width or depth, but impressive nonetheless - not a vintage (Port) to dismiss. 16.5

Richard Mayson: Very deep centre, thin crimson rim. Attractive, ripe, fruity aromas, surprisingly open for a wine so young. Soft, sweet, opulent and spicy with solid tannins rising in the mouth. Big, bold, peppery tannins on the finish. 16