Simon Field | Midnight darkness at the core, no sign at all of the dawn, just a faint garnet fade at the rim. Holding up well, it seems. An attractive nose rejoins herbs and spice; aniseed and a touch of fennel; beef stock and mandarin, soot and iodine; an attractive perusal of the spice rack, with a clear view of the kitchen garden. The palate has hints of leather and gem, spice and chocolate—a linear profile and a precise, quietly authoritative power on the finish. | 94

Andrew Jefford | Dark, black-red, though no longer opaque. Warm, soft, round, tender aromas: real resonance and affability of age on offer here. This isn’t a hugely detailed aroma, but what is there is warm, harmonious, and inviting. Soft, mellow, gentle, and open, with the original fruit being a little fresher than the aromas suggested, and hence now quite linear. But there is true warmth, sustained tannins, ripe acidity, and concentrated fruit, and it’s all shaking down nicely. | 90

Anthony Rose | Leveling now to a ruby, garnet hue. This is attractively aromatic, with lots of juicy, sweet, spicy, dark fruit to enjoy as the tannins have now eased into a textural suppleness. This makes the wine a pleasure to drink now and perhaps for another two to three years, maintained by a commendable framework of tannin, the acidity still at this stage in balance with the fruit. The power behind it is gradually creeping up, though, so don’t wait too long to enjoy it. | 91