Andrew Jefford | Dense, dark midnight black. Sappy, lively and floral, with ample fresh spice, too: pert, chic scents suggesting a gathered, high-energy wine. Aromatically complex, too, with tea leaf, violet, and crushed walnut notes as well as the poised black fruits. Arresting. Splendidly athletic and energetic on the palate, with dashing fruits, brisk tannins, springheeled acidity but enough ripeness to reward on all fronts. This dense little fruit- grenade will evolve beautifully, entertain those who look for layer and nuance but please the old-school classicist, too. Buy with assurance and don’t hurry. | 94

Michael Schuster | Subtly ripe blackcurrant Cabernet to smell, sweet and seductive; full-bodied, fresh, finely and firmly tannic; a deep, sweet, blackcurrant core flavor, long and fine and juicy, all within the firm St-Estèphe frame; a classy, complete, long-term, classed growth claret. 2030–45+. | 93