Simon Field | Deep obsidian core, beef bruise to a garnet rim. Slightly troubled aromatics of pine resin, boysenberry, late-season figs, and laurel; with air comes the fruit—dark fruit generally, evidently from the very ripe end of the scale. The palate rejoins oak, vanilla, briary, and dark chocolate. Somewhat foursquare of structure, a little hollow maybe. The center will not (may not) hold... | 87

Andrew Jefford | Dark, opaque black-red, though now eased off full intensity. Grassy and hay-sweet fruits on the nose, with some spice and toffee. Not much aromatic finesse here, though a kind of easy fairground pleasure on offer. Vivid and long, with lots of sweetness—from the fruit itself, as well as from the handling. Ample textures and the wine is satisfactorily balanced. Potentially a very good wine but just held back from a top score by that lack of aromatic finesse. | 89

Anthony Rose | Bright, youthful color. This is showing some licorice spice, treacle, and dark fruit in aroma, and a hint of olive-oil-marinated meaty savoriness, too. There’s some sweetness of fruit before the wine turns savory and slightly meaty, while the alcohol brings an added punch that augments a feeling of dryness on the finish. | 87