AJ | Dark, opaque black-red and coloured to the meniscus: sombre and characterful. Warm, harmonious, ample and rounded, in some ways this is hard to believe (as you sniff it against its peers) that it's a `21, though doubtless in a vertical line things would be different. There's a lovely P-L gentleness and soft earthiness beneath its quiet and serenely married fruits. Real aromatic complexity here, too, which is very hard to achieve in `21. Lively, fresh, dense and pure, with impressive though approachable textures, balanced and not over-assertive acidity and a classicism that we didn't always associate with SHL in the past. It won't last 50 years but for the next 15 will be a SHL to broach and enjoy by the mouthful for its bright, focussed earthiness and breezy lift. Drink Dates: 2027 - 2042. 93
SF | Rich obsidian colour, uncompromising. The nose displays tar, crushed chalk, raspberry compote and plum. The palte adds spice and dark chocolate and Pessac herbs; dried flowers, then flint and ashes. There is mid-paalte concentration and a firm, finely etched finish. Drink Dates: 2028 - 2036. 91