Alex Hunt: A curious aromatic blend of dense, ripe, plummy fruit and green herbal notes. The palate shows a similar, rather discordant blend of richness and sourness. There would be more harmony if its flavors were less polarized- 12

Andrew Jefford: Deep black-red in color. Sweet red fruits, but a slight sense of stringiness and attenuation to this aromatic profile—faintly acidulous, faintly metallic, faintly cheesy, too. Sweet, full, loose-textured, lacking the purity and incision of the best. But it has a structural wealth and a fullness that are attractive, providing you’re not looking for the pungent purity of youth and don’t mind the less predictable allusions that age seems to be bringing- 13.5

Simon Larkin: Clearly more evolved in hue, the aromas exude a terrific sweet-scented cassis fruit, slightly leafy, slightly smoky with a note of sous-bois. The palate follows in a similar vein, with an appealing sweet, ripe yet evolving fruit. On one hand, there is the sweetness and roundness of a ripe year, impeccable finegrained tannins; on the other, the gamey, leafy, chalky mineral notes. All in all, a fascinating example, offering very fine balance, and a long-drawn finish. Complex and pure with a scented black-fruit accent throughout. Very impressive- 17