Nicolas Belfrage: Medium depth, bright. Fruit rather than flowers on the nose. Apple and raspberry. Sweet Porty finish backed by good acidity and ripe tannins; good wine without being inspiring. Quite typical of the vintage. Has length and class. 16

Andrew Jefford: Deep red, shading to bright ruby. The faintest touch of mixed ripeness and herbaceousness here, but fundamentally this is a hugely charming wine, with a complex nose that includes tobacco, lots of underbrush and undergrowth, and the dry, semolina-like warmth that is so typical of this vintage. Very complete and satisfying. On the palate, this is very deep and thrusting, with uncomfortably high acidity (for me) which slightly dominates the end palate. There is still great stature and complexity here, but stylistically I don’t warm to this rather brutal wine. 15

Franco Ziliani: Good intense ruby color; rich in the glass. Medium intensity of aromas, of black cherries, raspberries, plums, and licorice. Surprisingly elegant hints of mint and chocolate that give complexity and freshness to the wine. Very luscious and rich on the palate, with fleshy tannins, persistence, and richness of savor. Still very young, but I’m sure it will improve for years. A classic. Buy and hold in your cellar 17.5