Tim Atkin: Very dense, concentrated color. Aromatic, concentrated, alluring. Sweet tannins, nice oak integration; still youthful but complex. Supple. Firm tannins, complex, sweet red fruits and vanilla. Subtle wine, very good length. Alcohol a little high, but this is a smart wine, with notes of tobacco, vanilla, and red fruit, and with considerable depth and complexity. 18.5

Gerard Basset: Deep ruby with a blackish rim. Medium-deep intensity. Pastry nose, baked damson with cinnamon. Round and rich; chocolate in retro. Medium-long finish. 17

Anthony Rose: Good opaque violet-ruby hue; very nice violety fragrance, intense and concentrated black-fruit flavors. Juicy, ripe, and opulent, with deftly handled spicy oak—not straying over the boundary of too much oak, alcohol, or extraction. This is a wine that delivers a lovely succulent quality of blackberry and damson fruitiness that’s approachable and in balance. 18