Stephen Brook | A sturdy and assertive sour-cherry nose, but there’s delicacy and charm, too. Fresh and lively on the palate, with an almost minty acidity, and firm tannins kick in on the mid-palate, as does a touch of overt alcohol. A touch severe now, but of course it’s still young. This doesn’t seem fully formed, but there’s ample fruit and some force on the finish. Good potential here. Long. | 92

Andrew Jefford | Dark black-red. Warm, faintly tarry, with glowing plum and strawberry and some wild hedgerow bramble, too, all carried in on the autumn wind. Very enticing aromas. Vivid, fresh, and lively, with once again lots of sappy- bitter plant austerities to mingle with the fruits. Concentrated and dense—and characterful. There’s a strong sense of place to this excellent, emphatic wine. | 91

Michael Palij | Atypical for the region and the vintage— notes of coal tar, cold ash, vanilla, cedar, cinnamon, and coffee. Agreeable drinking now, but this is desperately tannic and dominated by the oak. Far too much wood on this, leading to a drying finish with a one-dimensional final act. | 90