Simon Field: The colour is quite evolved, with brick notes in the ascendant. The nose is gamey and not overly attractive - tobacco and coal dust - and not quite harmonious, whatever it is. The palate is sweet and quite buttery. The dramatis personae lose interest after the caramelised attack, and the denouement is predictably disappointing. 14

Andrew Jefford: Quite a lot of brick hidden away here now; tile red is beginning to dominate. What a lovely nose! This wine has that wonderful warm resemblance to something Bordeaux-like and Right Bank: there's a kind of sexy meatiness here that could be Pomerol or the Cheval Blanc end of St-Emilion. Creamy, round and full: a great nose. Not quite as exciting as I had hoped from the nose, though this is nonetheless a satisfying and well-rounded Port of considerable harmony, complexity and equilibrium, with excellent stony fruits that power on into the finish. 17

Richard Mayson: Mid-deep-garnet centre, thin purple tawny rim. Roasted nose - it smells like Starbucks’ mocha! - but stewed coffee kept on the heat for too long. Rich in the mouth but lacking definition. Some lovely fruit on the mid-palate and a good tannic structure. Let down by the nose, but this may be just a poor bottle. Better in 3-5 years perhaps. 15