Simon Field: Regal, inscrutable, the prerogative of youth— at least in this genre. Dark-fruit aromatic, herbs and charcoal; the palate sings primary fruit, which carries all before it at this stage, deceptively powerful, holding the unleashed tannins in artful suspense. The finish is clean if a touch abrupt. | 87

Andrew Jefford: Dark, saturated black-red, with some scarlet traces on the glass sides. Warm, sweet, and enticing: lots of lush, sweet, thick fruits, exuberant, complete, and enticing. Lots of sweet beef here, as well as fresh fruits. On the palate, this is a relatively brisk, intense, deep, dark, and searching wine. The brandy remains a little obtrusive for the time being; ripe fruit and generous, forceful tannins keep it all in order. Outstanding, clean, young Vintage Port. | 91

Richard Mayson: Deep, dark opaque; already closing in on itself on the nose, underlying tight-knit berry fruit; firm, linear in style, without a great deal of flesh on the dusty, tannic bones, leading to a rather hard, one-dimensional finish. Simple. | 84