Simon Field: Gentle ruby colouring, with a bouquet quite reticent at the moment. Slightly gummy on the nose, though the palate is better with attractive sweet fruit that typified the vintage, which is approachable and multilayered. A shade heady and lacks the luxury of perfect structure. 15

Andrew Jefford: Very pale and light, compared to even the ’77s. Fading fast - help! The lifeboats! Light and trivial - I wonder if this is the scandalous Fonseca ’80... 10

Richard Mayson: Very pale pink colour. Washed out nose - hollow fruit. Light and hollow on the palate. Perfectly sound with some peppery tannin, and fully mature. Drink now and over the next five years at the maximum. The fruit is drying out. 11.5