Pronounced nose packed with black fruits, maybe a little dominated by the two Cabernets, but with red sour cherry shining through with plum and damson, green tea leaf and cedar, smoke and toast from oak with a whole whack of clove. Already hints of leather and a cured meat iron character. Dry, high acid, high and fine chalky tannin, full body, pronounced flavours, incredibly well integrated alcohol and a long, long finish. — 10 years ago
Traditional Method, Italian style. Pure, delicate fruit and honey, brioche and a very fine bead. £14.99 at Majestic Wine and well worth it. — 11 years ago
Rich, dark luscious fruit and spicy oak. Full body and lashings of fine, ripe tannins. An amazing pairing to the venison and pancetta roast that we just enjoyed! — 10 years ago
Pronounced nose of ripe blackcurrant and black cherry compote, ripe black plum, vanilla, toast and smoke, chocolate ganache. Dry with fine grained and ripe tannins, and a sweet spice finish. Delicious! £16 at Majestic Wine. — 10 years ago
Huge whiff of vanilla-laden coconut oak, giving way to a medley of ripe succulent black fruits, lifted menthol and eucalyptus. Lighter on the palate than the nose would suggest, with plenty of concentration and good tannic grip. — 10 years ago
Just off-dry, with high acidity, medium alcohol and medium body, with pronounced intensity of citrus; ripe lime and kafir lime leaf, white flowers, beeswax and green apple. Very tasty, great pairing with tempura squid! — 10 years ago
Soft black fruits and ripe tannins, touch of leather and sandalwood. Medium bodied, medium alcohol, very medium, but with very fine complexity ! — 10 years ago
Fruit forward fronsac, bags of blackcurrant, plum and damson with ripe tannins. Soft and very drinkable. — 10 years ago
Torbreck 'The Steading' 2002, GSM, Barossa Valley, Australia. Found in The Sampler South Kensington, £25. Garnet with a brick red rim, dried red fruits and smooth oak, notes of vanilla and coconut. Carrying some weight from plenty of alcohol but well integrated. Delicious! — 11 years ago
Ruaridh Cathmoir
Rich, cherry laden and concentrated. Long finish and sweet spice flush with anise. Gawjus. — 10 years ago