88/100 Packed with bramble, black plums, and leathery, dense tannins, this is strong stuff. Bitter cocoa flavors and pepper show the ripeness and firmness of the wine, which, at 14.5% alcohol, is no lightweight. —R.V.
87/100 This is big in all senses. It has dense, very rich, very powerful fruit and as a consequence of that, it has 14.5% alcohol. It’s finely perfumed, with black and violet flavors and aromas, and some good, spicy flavors. —R.V.
17.5/20 Lighter colour than most. Rich and slighty treacly – very appealing on the nose. Round and very fruity. Extremely soft with dry edges. Lovely for current drinking with a very mineral edge. Lots of character. 13.5%
16.5/20 Seems much better balanced than the 2003 even thought the fruit has obviously suffered a bit of drought stress in 2002 too. Good acidity and slightly hot on the finish.
16.5/20 Strong ripe Syrah nose. Very savoury and much less ripe than the 2003. Rather dry but very peppery. Not sweet at all, cf the 2003. Quite evolved. Very dry tannins.
16.5/20 Very savoury and appetising nose. Hint of tar and lots of Syrah, even verging on underripe Syrah!!! Not a characteristic savour in this line-up. Lovers of the 2003’s might call this a bit scrawny. 13%
16.5/20 Very heady, super-ripe nose – purple fruits oozing fruit – almost Napa Valley! Good, sleek palate entry – very smooth – and then extremely dry tannins on the finish. Good start but it will take time to smooth out those dry tannins… 14%
15.5/20 Deep crimson. Warm, ripe and spicy with a very strong impression of alcohol and sweetness. Pretty dry tannins – far from the silky norm! 14.5% on the label and certainly pretty hot. A big mouthly… a little bitter and inky on the finish. Slightly hollow towards the end. Unbalanced.
16.5/20 Almost black. Tarry, intense, almost porty nose but with a sweet undertow. Lots of obvious fruit on the front palate. And masses of obvious alcohol. 14.5% very hot finish but fairly characteristic.
17/20 Fragrant and attractively cool, for a 2003, on the nose. Fruit and tannins on the finish are not too harsh or dry. This seems like a balanced wine – not too obviously 2003! Good balance and lots of mineral character.
