Tim Atkin | Inky purple. Very youthful. Clove and orange peel on the nose, with quite a bit of sweet oak and aromatic, brambly fruit. Spicy, peppery palate with sweet oak, medium concentration, good acidity, and medium length. Modern style, with quite a bit of alcohol, but a sense of hollowness. | 14.5

Alex Hunt | Very heady, ripe fruit—almost kirsch-like— and yet something a bit mossy-vegetal, too, on the nose. The palate is rather exaggerated, with palpable alcohol and simple fruit. Overall, a bit of a blunt instrument. | 13.5

Stephan Reinhardt | Dark and unfiltered ruby. Deliciously dense, sweet, and harmonious on the nose but also powerful and maybe a little bit burned for purists. Dark, sweet-fruit aromas, leather, some herbal and earthy flavors. Rich, intense, and powerful on the palate, which is not only sweet but has a certain finesse and freshness. The tannins are ripe and silky, while the finish displays licorice and earthy flavors again. This is already starting to mature, and most of the other wines in this tasting seem younger. | 17