Tim Atkin: Youthful purple. High alcohol; oaky but concentrated. Nice, ripe fruitcake notes; some sweetness, both from the alcohol and the oak. A little pruney, but good in a very ripe way, with a savory undertone. Medium-weight tannins, attractive oak. Drink now or over the next year or two. 16.5

Gerard Basset: Deep inky color, with purple rim. Medium intensity. Black fruit and wild spices on the nose. Very powerful on the palate, with a firm but ripe structure. Chocolate and mocha in retro. Medium-long finish. 17

Anthony Rose: Good color; very ripe, sweet, violety nose bordering on the overripe. Good opulent, almost sweet, nicely rounded and textured black-fruit flavors. Plenty of richness and concentration, with good oak integration. The tannins are quite firm and chunky, the acidity nicely balancing out fruit and tannins, but this is a wine that needs food to absorb those tannins. 16