Tim Atkin: Dense purple color; meaty nose. Leafy, some alcohol, some VA. Very alcoholic. Ripe, a little Porty, fruit sweetness. Thick flavors, sweet, red fruit and Portiness. High-alcohol finish. 15

Gerard Basset: Very deep black-ink color, with a purple rim. Medium intensity. Oven-baked meat, with fresh fruit but also chocolate coating. Round and ripe, with smooth tannins; lots of chocolate raisin in the mouth. Medium-long finish. 17

Anthony Rose: Good color; fragrant, spicy, and aromatic. Very nice quality of sweet blackberry and damson-rich fruit; juicy supple tannins and good savory acidity. Lovely purity of dark berry fruits, very juicy and ripe and succulent, with a lean, mineral, dry aftertaste. 17