SF | Deep colour, near-opaque at the core. The nose is less inscrutable; sour cherry, bitter chocolate and eucalypt; the life-enhancing acidity running amok through the firm , characteristically austere tannins. A sense of place revisited, a cerebral challenge, with gastronomic opportunity allowing the imagination to run wild. Fine, gently lifted finish. Very complete. 93
AJ | Dark black-red, only just off opaque Another of the wines that smells very claretty (uncanny how Dao can do this sometimes): fresh blackcurrant, poised and lively, now easing into agreeable midlife. Vivid, lively, exciting: another terrific 2018 from Dao. No sense of overripeness or stewiness: this is very quick on its feet, bright, dancing and incisive wine. It has structure and depth; it has exciting aromatics on the palate (root spice, citrus peels ...and you are surely only going to get these here in a great vintage); terrific tannins which are fully flavour-replete in a way that many regions never manage to achieve. An outstanding Dao.Drink Dates: 2024 - 2034. 93
RM | Very deep opaque colour, still with a youthful hue; deep and dense on the nose with underlying ripe cherry fruit and more than a hint of oak; bitter-sweet and very extractive on the palate, four square with rather hard, unyielding tannins and not much charm or finesse emerging, this may develop with time in bottle but I doubt it.Drink Dates: 2027 - 2037. 87