Tim Atkin: Mid-purple. Roasted coffee-bean nose. Some Cabernet? Almost a claret-like tone to this. Very oaky, sweet, mocha notes, but with stylish fruit, sweet tannins, and good balance and length. Cahors meets the Médoc. Complex, long, fine tannins; nice acidity and finesse. Class act. 18.5

Gerard Basset: Medium-deep black-ink color, with a purple rim. Medium-deep intensity. Fruitcake and sweet spices. Very firm texture but ripe. Medium finish. 16.5

Anthony Rose: Deep youthful ruby; a dry and savory nose of black fruit. This is pretty big and chunky and dry on the palate, albeit with good blackberry-fruit concentration and fresh acidity. This is a wine that badly needs food to bring out the undoubted dark-berry astringent fruit qualities that are enhanced by classic fresh acidity. 17.5