Tim Atkin: Deep color, still youthful. Smoky, some pepper, ginger, and nutmeg spice. Lovely, aromatic, savory, spicy, Rhône-like, meaty, sweet, licorice and blackberry spice, poised, balanced, fresh acidity, subtle use of oak, with black olive and cracked-pepper notes. Long, complex. Delicious. 18.5

Gerard Basset: Medium-deep ruby-garnet. Very pronounced nose. Medicinal, with plums in alcohol. Relatively lean, ripe tannin, herbal notes with black fruit; medium finish. 15.5

Anthony Rose: Medium ruby; powerful, intensely spicy aromas, prune, blackberry and plum-like, almost Châteauneuf-like Southern Rhône feel; rich, concentrated, spicy blackberry fruit quality, lovely ripe, supple tannins, good, intense juicy and spicy fruit quality; very well crafted, with lovely, concentrated, presumably low-yield, powerful fruit and firm tannins. A big wine but in proportion for its fruit and structure. 17.5