Stephen Brook: Very deep red. Sweet, intense, oaky nose, has real charm and pizzazz, and a welcome racy character. Fairly rich, silky, concentrated, spicy, with fine acidity. The tannins are well judged even if quite assertive, and the fruit comes through well on the finish. Skilful winemaking here. It does lack some length, so it won’t age as well as many other vintages, but this is highly enjoyable. 17

Stephen Browett: A big new oak nose. Very thick, sweet, oaky, and overripe on the palate. There seems to be plenty of fruit and substance here but, to be honest, the only thing it tastes of at the moment is new oak barrels. Like licking an ice cream stick without the ice cream. 13.5

Michael Schuster: Very dark red; lightly fruity, also slightly woody nose; light to medium bodied wine, with a very nice quality underlying fruit dried by a noticeable wood tannin; ripe and fresh and quite delicate and refined underneath the oak tannin, but the “woodiness” soon takes over and pinches, shortens and dominates the finish. Pity. This could be very nice indeed. 12