Simon Field | Darkly uncompromising of hue; the aromatic is equally assertive; dark fruit, bitter chocolate, lavender, and damask roses very far on in the season. The palate thrives under such saturnine pressure, the interplay between a poised and neat shard of acidity and tannins that control quietly from afar, together beguiling and inspiring. The structure assumes gastronomic gravity, the measured weight of fruit and oak resiling from a conspiracy of disappointment. | 92

Andrew Jefford | Dark, opaque, black-purple, with a purple rim. Fresh, sweet, pure damson and plum fruits on the nose—engaging and seductive, with no reduction or grassy silage notes. Age, though, is beginning to bring some good things: A brandied finesse is stealing in behind the fruits. Lovely aromas here. Deep, pure-fruited, fine-grained, and articulate, and a wine with no finesse- deficiency—indeed, the style is sumptuous, almost silky, almost creamy. Aria-singing Malbec character here: Excellent work. Svelte tannins and chiseled, supportive, but unimposing acidity. Complete, energetic, and vital: super stuff. | 94

Anthony Rose | Surprisingly bright and youthful in appearance, this is also freshly scented and youthfully aromatic. The black cherry and damson fruit has calmed down with a nice suppleness. Soft texture and spicy oak (part American?) integration subtly underpinning a well-executed red, whose freshness at this level of maturity brings balance and even a certain savoriness to the fruit, which is only now just starting to ease springs into a promising second phase of evolution. | 93