Simon Field | Deep Holbein mauve; a narrow rim of youthful aspiration here. Fulsome oaky nose: smoke and graphite, charcoal, and bilberries; sui generis. The fruit is even more generous on the palate, Palladian assurance and a generous creamy backdrop billowing. The tannins have a stone-like persistence, however, and reassure in the face of the prospect of youthful overenthusiasm. | 90

Andrew Jefford | Dense, midnight-black. Deep and pure- fruited on the palate: dark, alluring sloe and damson. This isn’t a wine of huge aromatic lift— the aromas seem to sit and lurk in the glass—but what’s there is attractive. Lively, resonant, black fruits in soft-textured, full-bodied style, without too much palpable acidity or alcoholic heat. Well crafted, attractive, satisfying, and a little easier to drink than many. | 88

Anthony Rose | Vibrant in dark ruby-purple. The nose is still a tad closed, the dark fruit is ripe, bittersweet chocolaty, and powerful, still primary with a firm grip on the tongue that almost bites. The fruit is not quite resolved with the oak as yet, needing time for the two to blend together and definitely needing food of the chargrilled kind. | 89