Simon Field | Episcopal purple, the cardinal’s robe, looks like it’s just back from the dry cleaners; shimmering and bright. Herbs, tannins, chalk, undergrowth, and camphor—something a little drying and raw, slightly compromised. It may come back to life, and at the moment, though far from lifeless, of course, it fails to impress with the overall structure. | 85

Andrew Jefford | Deep, dark black-red; glowing and translucent. Assertive oak over chocolate-cherry fruits; gruff and forceful. Some TCA, actually— we need to look at another bottle. Second bottle: Almost worryingly different. The thrust of the gruff fruit has gone, and there are no more TCA splinters, but it is aromatically actually rather a featureless wine in its second-bottle articulation. Sound and satisfactory as a drink but lacking ambition and excitement. | 85

Anthony Rose | This is not especially alluring in aroma, and the fruit is pulled up rather short by some drying tannins that make it less than an enjoyable prospect. | 85