SF | Rich of hue but initially a little less forthcoming on the nose; eventually the liturgy of dried fruit, dried herbs and soft spice emerges, its transmogrification onto the palate eased by the austere acidity and the purity of cleansing fruit. 91
AJ | Saturated dense black-red. Warm, structured, serious, dense and engaging scents, wildly more interesting than so many of the trivial wines in this tasting: as so often, a core of woodland freshness, of sweet roots discovered in earth, of crushed wild plums, of dry citrus peels. Arresting and very very good aromatically. A very faithful Dao is a very great vintage: vital and commanding, with an impressive level of detail: bright, high-focus, dramatic, laser-focussed, hugely concentrated. Brilliant definition and focus; impeccable cleanliness and pungency. Another marvel from the magnificent 2017 vintage, and note that the palate aromas are every bit as enticing and engaging as the aromas gathered from the glass intially. A marvel.Drink Dates: 2026 - 2046. 95
RM | Very deep, opaque and inky in colour; closed and quite restrained on the nose, underlying rather heady intensity, big bold cherry and ripe plum flavours backed by solid ripe tannins with some elegance and finesse just about showing though on the finish, this still needs time in bottleDrink Dates: 2024 - 2035. 88