Simon Field: Potent and profound; the wine-dark sea on a very still night; soot and leather, woodsmoke and Cognac, all held in check despite its resonance and latent power. The fruit is more eloquent on the palate, red fruits and even rosehip evidenced; feminine and charming, the apparent dissonance between nose and palate is sure to resolve. | 90

Andrew Jefford: Dark black-red-purple, dense and saturated, with ample clinging color on the glass sides. Sweet, fresh, lots of lively blackcurrant spice; perfumed and lifted, elegant and fresh. A super- enticing aroma. Lots of tight-packed blackcurrant fruit on the palate, too; vivid and thrusting just now, but better and calmer in a decade. A searching and energetic wine, though the alcohol remains just a little bit hot for the time being. | 90

Richard Mayson: Deep, dark, and opaque; restrained but ripe cherry stone fruit on the nose, closing in but with plenty to give; lovely, gentle, rich plum and cherry fruit, fine-grained tannins, tight-knit, leading to a big, powerful muscular tannic finish. All there. Impressive wine, with plenty of flesh and power for the long term. | 94