Nicolas Belfrage: Porty, roseate nose, good type. A little lax or slack on the palate. Soupy 1997 character coming through here, with lowish acid, lack of zing, tannins a bit ponderous, concentration a bit over the top. Still, I could drink it fairly happily - has that sweet Porty finish and the grapes were good. 15.5

Simon Larkin : Restrained aromatics, sweet, almost dessicated, fruit accent on the palate, this is yet to really show its colours. There are some firm structural tannins holding fruit in check. Acidity is well wound to the wine and there is a persistent quality to the fruit on the finish, though there is also a warmth on the back-palate that does little to enhance its poise. Relatively accessible, this will reward over the short to mid-term. Drink over the next four to six years. 14.5