Simon Field | Ruby red, with a hint of blood, the nose appropriately sauvage; the clarion call for gibier already sounded; thyme, cassis, myrtle, and dark chocolate, nothing too hot or raisined, despite the obvious power and weight of alcohol. Hints of bacon rind and violets complete a satisfying portrait of respectful competence allied to indulgent exhibitionism. | 94

Andrew Jefford | Another very deeply colored, black-red wine, with opacity at this stage. Aromatically very fine, to the extent that you might even imagine it is a year or two older than 2016, so articulate and expressive are the aromas. Look for a lush, Dundee-cake fruitiness with some chocolate behind; rich plum and damson and bramble fruits; something perfumed and cade-like, as well as the sweetness of dried wild thyme out in the forest. A very complete and commanding aromatic profile. Richly and vivaciously fruited on the palate, too, with ample force and warmth but no shortage of shape or contour, either. The acidity is a little higher here than for some of its Châteauneuf-du- Pape peers, and the tannins are rather softer, too. Singing and lyrical Châteauneuf, perhaps grown on sand. | 93

David Williams | Dusky, with dried fruit and fig and damson and a sprinkle of baking spice, this is immediately appealing; a Christmassy character with a softness of texture and embracing warmth that doesn’t teeter into full-on booziness. | 88