SF | Regal purple at the rim; the cardinal's pomp. The nose is dominated, as it should be at such an age, by dark fruit, myrtle and blueberry especially, but there is also a pelsing spicy backdrop, with hints of licorice and esteva, crushed rock and laurel. This complexity is evidenced on the palate too; the spirit is powerful, but does not dominate the structure to such an extent to overwhelm the prospect of a lengthy vista of potential unfurling in the imagination 90
AJ | Classically opaque black-purple with satisfactory density and visual grain. Perfumed and refined, with creamy blackcurrant and dried orange and tangerine peel scents. Pure and pristine; very enticing; and no sense of the excessive heat of midsummer here. Admirable fruit intensity on the palate, and admirable purity, lift and energy in that fruit: as on the nose, no sense of the sun having the upper hand or raisins having crept into. the mix. In addition to the creamy blackcurrant, there is delicious woodland plum (damson and sloe). Delicate, poised weight of tannins; lovely midweight, midterm extraction. Brandy glow at the end in flavour terms but the raw spirit itself is folded in gracefully. A super mouthful, and (for me) almost ready to drink now.Drink Dates: 2027 - 2040. 92
RM | Very deep, opaque and quite dense on the nose with underlying ripe, tight-knit fruit, a lot more to give; well-defined ripe plum and berry fruit, still a bit raw but with fine, firm tannins rising in the mouth leading to a big, firm peppery finish. Good purity of fruit and balance, middle to long distance wine.Drink Dates: 2034 - 2055. 93