Taster

Nose: Fresh mountain air, violets and candied orange peel morph into toffees and dark chocolate.

Palate: Lovely silky texture, which turns chewy with water. Candied orange peel up front, overtaken by serrano ham flavour, which is great. Hit of dried fennel and caraway seeds.

Finish: Fennel seeds linger with a chocolate note coming through.

Comment: Lots to love, but the anise-y seeds knock points unfortunately – they don’t quite sit comfortably with the rest.

Score: 7.5

Taster

Nose: Reveals depth quickly. Morello cherries, dried figs, heather honey, nutmeg and leather. Fades to reveal pencil shavings and toasted almonds. Faint cloves and eucalyptus.

Palate: Not at all viscous. Lively: strawberry jam, blackcurrants, dried prunes and figs. Pencil shavings. Fiery cloves and black pepper, with plenty of oak.

Finish: Medium length. Pepper and tannins dominating. Shade too woody.

Comment: With more viscosity and less oak influence, this would have been incredible.

Score: 8.1