Powerful, compact, brooding sort of style, but tight too, all black fruit, dark chocolate, a seasoning of bay leaf and baking spice, some floral notes peeping over the top. Tannin is earthy and dense, but smooth and layered, boysenberry and dark raspberry, firm acidity set neatly inside, and a tobacco and black olive savoury finish of length and intensity. A very strong release, indeed maybe the best in the last decade. High drinkability, even early.

Published May 2022