SF | A softer color than most: auburn, almost translucent, with a fade to the rim. An attractive lift, not volatile, but poetic, ethereal; a charming expression of wood-aged Port, the cask softening and yet adding its own cadenza of flavor, the acidity marked, securing long-term development, but in no way intrusive. Just a touch of vanilla pod—nothing wrong with that. The sweetness level is quite high, but will dip with time and the architectural integrity will ensure a safe passage in this case. 92
AJ | Pale and translucent, with cherry-red glints. Fragrant, poised, cherry fruits on the nose, too, with sweet summer straw up in the hayloft. Attractive and recognizably a “Vintage Tawny”; fragrant and refined. Smooth, fine-grained, elegant, and tangy on the palate; relatively seamless, without excessive end-palate warmth. Mouthfilling sweet fruits, in strawberry style. It's still young and accessible, so we might hope for a tempting price for this excellent wine. 2024–29. 91
RM | Lovely, mid-to-pale, brick-red-to-tawny hues; soft, open, quite delicate citrus-peel and fruit-cake character on the nose and on the palate, just a dusting of vestigial spicy tannin remaining, with a hint of savory complexity coming through on the finish. Nicely melded together, with lovely delicacy, though perhaps just lacking a little in overall finesse. 89