March 13, 2021 - Honest straightforward in a great vintage. Impeccable value.
September 10, 2020 - Decent enjoyable claret, nice mellow fruity nose blackberries, in the mouth the the dark fruits had integrated with the tannins smoothed a little bit of spice evident, not much length.
Although enjoyable in its own right you have to question if this is actually worth £21 when cheaper wines give more VFM and there are plenty of them.
August 6, 2019 - Drinking well, and fun to compare notes from the previous 3 bottles and with those having had this on Singapore Airlines. I continue to rate this at the 90-range, perhaps due to the environment for tasting being different. I also have enjoyed the 2009 vintage, and will be curious to try and compare the aging in both. Right now the structure is very much present, with good length and depth. The focus shifts from a more fruity start to a lingering finish. The tannins are less strong than in the past, and the length also feels a bit less.
July 22, 2018 - Continuing to age well -- will look forward to last bottle in about a year --
September 1, 2017 - On a Singapore Airlines flight. This wine had a fruity nose, with dark flowers, black currant, blackberry, plum, earthy and vegetal notes, cedar, cinnamon and spices. On the palate, the wines showed cherry, blackberry, black currant, plum, earthy notes, some graphite and spice, with fine, medium-plus tannin that seemed a little green, good acidity and very good length. Very dry, but not unpleasant. I can't recommend this wine without any doubts;, I would need to retry this on the ground. The dryness and quality of tannin worried me a little bit.
July 31, 2017 - Big and new-world style for sure, but makes for pleasant drinking. Tannins nicely resolved.
February 19, 2017 - Aging very well -- guessing from the previous timepoint, but I suspect this will continue to evolve and will continue to improve. Nicely integrated, not tannic or acidic, an excellent vintage and enjoyed this one.
October 17, 2016 - Liked the 2009 better. But this needs more time in the bottle.
October 9, 2016 - Singapore Airlines - Business & Lounges; 10/9/2016-10/12/2016 (Sydney, Singapore, Frankfurt): {cork, 14%} Big and ripe. Very new-world in style, with blackcurrant jam to the fore, and oak in background. Slight iodine super/ripe character. The palate is medium-bodied, with ripe, almost hot, currant-derived fruit flavours, medium level gritty tannins, and a dry, slightly hollow finish to match the frisson of heat remaining on the tip of the tongue. Serviceable but workmanlike. Nothing special.
February 13, 2016 - Belle structure et nez typique. Bon potentiel. Le préféré de la soirée.