Andrew Jefford: Dark black-red. Rich, warm, dense, and composty aromas, but all the notes are attractive: bacon, broom, plum, crushed stone. A little creamed oatmeal, too. The headiest of soups. Dense, deep, complex, brimful of rich, ripe black fruits—and more vivid than many, with slightly fresher acidity. [We are also tasting this newly arrived wine at a slightly cooler temperature to its peers.] The tannins are meaty, ripe, and ample. Is there some oak in here? Superb raw materials, but something a little vanillic or coffeeish as well; hint of pine resin in the finish. Slightly livid élevage, though; needs a year or two to settle down, by which time it may deserve a higher score. 16

Simon Larkin : Smoky deep berry on the nose, slightly liqueur-like. (Cold, just arrived!) The palate is ripe without any evident harshness, there is a pleasing elegance on show; this certainly isn’t overworked. There is good freshness on show, the fruit deeply laden with spicy, garrigue nuances. A much more classical interpretation. It stands out in its flight as a different style altogether. 15.5

John Livingstone-Learmonth: Dark robe, full to the brim. The nose reaches right across the glass, a profound heart to it; not much precisely on show just now. Its kernel is a mix of appealing cooked berries, with a note of smoked bacon, violet. It gives an image of a sun-filled, evocative slope: lots to look forward to over time, indeed. the palate is delicious, a most full display of fine-tuned berry fruits, real shine in them, and several layers of mystery. What will come next over time? Stimulating. the side lining of the tannins along the palate is excellent—they add sleek, nearly swift momentum and are real contributors. Very long. high-class châteauneuf; grand pedigree. the precision of its persistence, an assemblage of many fine details, is striking. from 2016 to 2033/36. 19.5