Tim Atkin: mid-garnet, with some brick-red highlights. High alcohol, slightly over the top and overripe. Soft, high alcohol, sweet, with some raisins and figs and sweet raspberry fruit. Finishes a little dry but also alcoholic. 13.5

Nicolas Belfrage: medium color. Very correct, slight turn. attractive, up- front oak-and-cherry nose, with plum on the palate, good acid, and ripe tannins; nicely conceived and made; not mind- blowing but a worthy representative of what is apparently a really attractive vintage. 16.5

Bruno Besa: Deep garnet to tawny rim. Developed, spicy, a touch oxidized on the nose, with compact, mature black fruit. Decadent, but not very clean on the palate. 14