Simon Field | Bright inky-black, purple at the rim; a classy nose of oak, crushed raspberry, vanillin, and tapenade; immediately seductive, velvety, layered, and bristling with potential. On the palate, the oak does not fall away, but neither does it fundamentally undermine the structure, which has the sheen and gloss of an upmarket Crozes-Hermitage. The black-olive style will not want for adherents; it has a patina of sophistication—more than a patina, indeed— but whether or not it captures the essence of this marvelous enclave is another matter. N’importe; it’s a lovely wine! | 94

Andrew Jefford | Dense, dark black-red, with an opaque core and purple glints. Copious beguiling, billowing citrus-peel and blossom scents: fine Languedoc Syrah at full expressive tilt. A real perfumed garden of a nose: hugely appealing. (Some carbonic maceration here?) The palate follows suit: perfumed, deep, ripe, and lyrical, with Syrah once again doing its Languedoc thing (which is very different from its Rhône thing and its Barossa thing and its Washington thing and its Gimblett Gravels thing). No obtrusive oak here, and some fine-grained shaping tannins and deft, harmonious acidity. A lovely tenor solo from somewhere interesting and not overly warm, up in the Terrasses. | 92

Anthony Rose | A deep, primary ruby in color. The alluring fragrance is redolent of spicy notes of cardamom and cinnamon, presumably from well-handled oak. The fruit is ripe to the point of chocolaty richness, and stylish oak adds a dimension of sinewy texture, as well as a fine spiciness to make this complex and delicious at the same time. And while the tongue-coating framework of tannins and acidity is quite present at this youthful stage, there’s little doubt that this wine has much promise and a fine future ahead of it of up to 10 years or perhaps longer. | 95