Stephen Brook: Very deep red. Muted nose, ferrous, with black fruits and licorice. Quite rich, assertive; furry tannins, so a touch dry. Surly; lacks vigor and freshness, but this may be the bottle rather than the wine. Good length but a somewhat mouth-puckering finish. 14

Andrew Jefford: Saturated dense black-red. Slightly churlish aromas—a touch of cork compromise here? Deep, full, lush-textured, impressive core and length of fruit; very “dark” style to these fruits. Perhaps not a perfect bottle, but this is nonetheless a deep and gratifying wine. St-Emilion plateau? 14

Hugh Johnson: Deep edge to edge. Elusive, faintly oily, faintly animal/moldy? Big, bold, extracted and tannic but doesn’t bring it off. 12