SF | Ruby going on garnet, the primaries giving ground in terms of both colour and fruit. Strangely hollow , this one, notes of bitumen, thyme and hay with a lean fruit character over-dressing an overly austere frame. The finish is dry and lachrymose. 86
AJ | Dark black-red; not quite opaque. Lots of sweet black cherry in semi-reduced, slightly sweaty style. Damson, too, and raspberry jam. Attractive though finally unrefined. Muscovado sugar after a while in the glass. Actively sweet on the palate (4-5g?) -- stopped fermentation? Almost critter-style Dao. Perhaps a sound commercial ploy. The fruit quality is actually pretty good so it is fun to drink and the usual Dao acids/tannins/bitters clean everything up at the end.Drink Dates: 2024 - 2026. 86
RM | Good mid-deep youthful colour; restrained with underlying floral fruit; firm berry fruit, slightly saline (?) tannins mid palate, firm raspberry and blueberry fruit on the finish.Drink Dates: 2024 - 2034. 88