Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium ruby garnet , narrow garnet rim . Quite deep spicy tobacco , cassis , redcurrant , grafite , smoky herbal notes on the nose. On the palate this is quite restrained and elegant , with a mix of red and dark fruits , cassis , blueberry , red currant , touch of menthol also . Good refreshing acidity and slightly gritty tannins , good length with grafite and tobacco stained finish . This is showing well and is probably at peak at the moment , no rush as it will stay here for another 8-10 years or so . — 21 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium ruby , quite narrow ruby garnet rim . Quite discreet , mix of red and dark fruits with limestone , rose , cranberry and blackberry . On the palate quite intense and mineral, chalky and cool strawberry , cranberry , blackberry and cherry . Shows more tannin than the 2017 , still quite young and fruit driven , but more mineral and darker fruits . Good mineral , chalky tinged length . Drinking well now though no rush over the next 10 years — 10 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Deep and quite opaque , narrow ruby rim . Quite a lot of wood spice though with time in the glass there is a lot underneath that oak , dark cassis , ripe blackberry and a mineral undertone . Quite round and ripe on the palate , almost ‘new world’ in style compared to some of the preceding vintages , rounded but gritty tannin , balanced acidity . Generous and round, but with balanced alcohol , good length. Dark cassis , blackberry dark cherry notes. A strong oyster shell , saline component after a while in the glass . Needs time obviously , even though this is quite round and ripe. Intense with great potential. Better in 10-15 years will last well a further 10-15. — a year ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium deep ruby , narrow, ruby rim . Quite juicy , blackberry , blackcurrant notes , touch of grafite, oyster shell and violet . On the palate this is quite juicy with ripe dark fruit , cassis , grafite tinged blackberry , good fresh saline tinged acidity and rounded fine tannins . Decent length too . This is drinking well but is still quite fruit focused , not much in the way of development, will continue to show well over the next 10 years — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium deep ruby , quite narrow rim . Touch of earthy menthol , tobacco , spicy blackcurrant, grafite . On the palate quite dusty , with earthy sous bois , blackcurrant, ripe blackberry , grafite and tobacco , cocoa hints. Quite rich but balanced , good acidity, quite dusty tannins . This is probably at peak now though will last well another decade perhaps . — 5 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium deep ruby, quite narrow ruby pink rim . Dark creme de cassis , blackberry , with earthy , mineral , grafite touches , quite inviting and open , though still classic in style . On the palate more cassis , grafite , blackberry , quite juicy and round , but with balanced acidity and alcohol , rounded but noticeable tannins . Ok length . Drinking well now and will age well over the next 5-10 years — a year ago

Andrew Cullimore

8.9

Medium deep ruby with quite narrow violet pink rim . Aromatic on the nose crunchy cassis , blackberry , and slate . On the palate fresh summer pudding fruits , spicy with black pepper notes , mineral , quite strict and refreshing acidity . Leaves the palate very clean and refreshed, no excess sweetness or flesh on the palate . Ripe but slightly gritty tannin . Ok length. Drink now and over the next 5 years . — 2 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium garnet , slightly less intense than the 2002 , quite narrow terracotta rim . Quite a lot of dried spice , cinnamon , clove , with dried meats , porcini . Lighter fruits than the 2002, more of the red cherry , strawberry , raspberry noticable on other vintages. Not as dense as the 2002 but still enough fruit on the palate . Porcini , anise and black tea on the finish . Quite dense still , fills out well with good length — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Pretty deep , narrow ruby rim. Quite rich , almost exotic nose , dark cassis , dark plum, rich spiced blackberry, touch of cocoa , vanilla, smoke. On the palate this is quite rich but also very elegant with balanced refreshing acidity . Cassis , mineral , grafite , dark cherry. Ripe but very present tannins . Long and refined finish . After a while becoming more mineral and quite serious . Needs time , better in 5-10 years and last well a further 10-15 . This is a very successful showing and though obviously very young is enjoyable and involving to drink at the moment. — 5 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

8.9

Medium deep ruby , quite narrow ruby rim . Quite a lot of ripe red fruits , blueberry , strawberry jam , dark cherry and spice . Quite round and sweet fruited on the palate , cherry jam , strawberry , raspberry and dried spice . Ok acidity and ok length, just balanced alcohol , quite fine sweet tannins . Would be difficult to put this in Bordeaux ! Drink now and over the next 7 - 10 years . From 3 litre. — a year ago