Simon Field: Dense, saturated color, an aromatic of woodsmoke and bilberry, the faintest hint of iodine in the background. A ripe fruit profile, compromised by a touch of burn from the spirit; components all in place, bristling with potential. An impressive finish beyond the heat of the moment; the promise and perceived inclination of a robust evolution. | 88

Andrew Jefford: Saturated, deep purple-black. Rather unformed aromas, still with the raw vegetative roar of young Vintage Port; fresh and sweet if inchoate, and with lots of crushed spices buried in with the blackcurrant and blackberry fruits. Exciting but hard to form a clear judgment as yet. The palate delivers what the aromas promised: big, punchy action in a slightly unformed, free- fighting style. | 90

Richard Mayson: Deep, opaque; closing in, dense but still spicy on the nose, with underlying intensity and some restrained dark-chocolate concentration; lovely purity of fruit initially on the palate, rich and intense, wraps around the ripe yet fine-grained tannins which emerge mid-palate and on to the finish. Complete. For the long haul. | 96