Taster

Nose: Nutty, wheaty. Cinnamon. Earthy, oaky.

Palate: Smooth. Some winery notes. More oak.

Finish: Dried fruits. Black chocolate. Cedary.

Comment: If this had been bottled for six or seven years ago, I would probably have loved its big flavours. I like oak, but this is too much, and too old, for me. If you are an oak extremist, rush out and buy this one.

Score: 7.3

Taster

Nose: Rich and elegant with gunky, fugal notes mixed with soft honeysuckle, gingerbread, banoffee pie/pecan pie, chocolate covered cherries.

Palate: Mellow, funky and perfumes with layers of complex dark fruit: blackberry, prune, clove-spiced honey, cooked apple, raisin/sultana, spice, old leather, earth, soot, orange butter icing.

Finish: Gentle and soft.

Comment: The wood is perfect balance. Complex and very sophisticated.

Score: 9.3