Tim Atkin: Deep purple color. Very aromatic. Masses of oak, quite tannic, dense. Good underlying fruit, but firm tannins. Still, I think the combination works, with some smoky, violet fruit, good concentration, and length. Five to eight years. This will improve with time. 17.5

Gerard Basset: Deep black ink, with a purple rim. Deep intensity. Beautiful black fruit and also some herbal notes. Foursquare with ripe tannin; baked black fruit in retro. Long finish. 18

Anthony Rose: Good vivid color; very nice spicy fragrance, with a touch of spice and pepper. Firm, chunky tannins and astringency here. Lovely spice richness and damsony rich fruit quality, with quite high astringency. This needs food. 16