Simon Field | Deep unforgiving color, no hint of chiaroscuro. The nose is a touch resinous, leafy, maybe more tobacco than stalky. The palate today overwhelms with its youthful swagger and the burn of the spirit. Nothing has settled down, and it’s hard to say when and if that may happen. | 87

Andrew Jefford | Dense, dark, saturated black-red to a purple rim; leggy and promising. There is fruit on the aromas, but it is slightly high-toned and mono-dimensional compared to the best of its peers. Not unattractive, though. Very impressive and focused on the palate, which makes the lack of aromatic resonance a slight disappointment. Perhaps it’s a stage? If so, I’d expect that this wine’s score will surge later, since there is a huge amount of depth, texture, and wealth on the palate in close-textured, almost salty style. Maybe a little more primary fruit would be welcoming in a four-year-old? But this is carping. Grand stuff all the same. | 92

Richard Mayson | Withdrawn and tight-knit, with underlying intensity and depth; lovely, opulent, fleshy fruit, breadth and depth, with ripe yet bold tannins rising on to the finish. Lovely definition, with a long, vibrant finish that combines power, depth, and elegance. | 94