Richard Mayson: Very pale in color, delicate Cox’s apple aromas and flavors withatouch of savory toasty oak emerging, especially as the wine warms up in the glass. This is not usually a style that I like but it just about works here, since the oak does not kill the delicate fruit that lingers on the finish. 14

Charles Metcalfe: Definite signs of barrel fermentation, with creamy, vanilla notes. Well made, creamy; could be an Avesso-based wine. There’s a richness and breadth that are well judged. It’s not a particularly aromatic style but makes up with its creamy texture, though I’d have liked slightly less overt oak. 15

Joanna Simon: Smoky, toasted notes on the nose, overlaying classic green-apple/green-pear fruit. Taut fruit and salty mineral character softened and filled out with sweet smoky oak on the palate. Balanced acidity and fine-boned, firm underlying structure, but everything is slightly smothered by spicy, sweet, toasty oak. 14.5