Nicolas Belfrage: Deep, quasi-opaque. Cherry and thyme/ oregano on the nose. Quite a wealth of sweet Porty fruit balanced by firm acid/tannin structure. Good drinking now but will repay keeping. 89

Bruno Besa: Deep garnet to tawny. Mature, dark nose of raw red meat, morello cherries, menthol, and road tar. Medium to full body, with clean cherry fruit and a balanced, clean finish. Classic La Morra, with good depth and complexity. 92

Andrew Jefford: Very deep black-red. Sweet, warm, fragrant, and enticing; plus an exciting freshness and lift, too. Wonderful aromatic complexity here. Elegant, poised, fresh and lively, with plenty of polyphenolic shaping; the fruit core lacks richness compared with some, though, and relies a little too heavily on its acid structure. But a very attractive yet serious wine nonetheless. If the palate wealth had matched the aromatic complexity, this would have merited a top score. 86