Alex Hunt: Fairly muted, with a good deal of new oak on the nose. The palate is dominated by wood, both tannin- and flavor-wise. Acid is high; the overall effect is astringent and rather hollow- 11

Andrew Jefford: Saturated black-red. Soft but ample aromatic width and breadth, though with some lack of precision. Slightly soupy within the Loire context. Earthy, dark, full; this is one of the most ambitious wines within its subregional grouping. It’s deeper than its peers, with better concentration and length. Overall the style is pungent, mid-weight, with slightly laborious ripeness; there’s not a lot of fat or bottom here. But it’s very true to variety and place, and it has a layered quality that lifts it above those peers- 15

Simon Larkin: Brighter hue in the glass. The aromas suggest freshly crushed dark-berry fruit, leaf, even iodine. Inky almost on the palate, sappy, with a bright, vibrant acidity. This is still a hard style to access—very, very sappy, like an unfinished wine. Looking for more on the midpalate; this is so linear, there has to be some volume to offset. Hard work- 10