Tim Atkin: Mid-purple, some development at the rim, with garnet hints. Massively oaky, charry, smoky, almost a braai of a wine. Dry tannins, lacks fruit, totally dominated by the oak. Dry finish. Lacks fruit. Again, where is the subtlety? 11

Gerard Basset: Medium-deep ruby-garnet. Quite open. Sweet berry with very ripe blackberry, milk chocolate. Foursquare, with ripe tannin, beautiful spicy flavors, and ripe black fruit; long finish. 17

Anthony Rose: Medium ruby; rather heftily oaked nose and warm, ripe, raisiny edge to the aromas; the fruit is blackcurrant sweet, opulent and concentrated and oaky, the tannins firm, a tad one-dimensional but enough fruit concentration and flavor to make this an enjoyable drink. 15.5