Tim Atkin: Mid-ruby red. Aromatic ginger and vanilla spice, with some underlying red fruits. A little smoky oak dominated, with a touch of reduction, but there are some nice varietal flavors here of cracked pepper and sweet red fruits. Good length; well-integrated tannins and oak. Very drinkable 17

Stephen Brook: Very deep red. Lightly gamey nose, quite meaty, a lot of oak and coffee—which doesn’t sound like an appetizing aromatic mix, but it works. Fairly rich, suave, rounded, supple, approachable, reasonably concentrated, and has some grip. Perhaps it’s a touch bland and doesn’t show much flair, but it’s balanced and satisfying, albeit in a rather soft style. Medium length 15

Alex Hunt: Aromatically, a lot of blackberry and apricot, with some nice herbal aspects that carry through to the finish. The palate could do with a little more flesh to match the acidity (or vice versa), but the length and balance of flavors are good 15.5