Taster

Nose: Smoked meats, caramelised muscavado sugar, tomato stalks but also an underlying creamy sweetness, panna cotta and raspberries.

Palate: Astringent oak grip at first, then blackberry compote and apple skin sweetness. Fruitcake and icing, that mix of sweet and gentle savoury flavours.

Finish: Juicy but with a little astringency.

Comment: A bit of a sherry bomb, with a clear sweet side.

Score: 7.9

Taster

Nose: Monsterous sherry influence, a big resinous note, dark chocolate, stewed dried fruit, mossy forest floor and wet wood. Spices get to work with the addition of water.

Palate: Like spooning out heaped teaspoons of mincemeat. Five spice, plump raisins, dates and dark bitter chocolate, intermingle with a brandy butter note.

Finish: An oaky dryness resonates alongside notes of dried fruit and cocoa powder.

Comment: Bold and rich, but with no signs of being overpowered.

Score: 8.5