TAYLOR

Although there is an explosive power on the nose the fragrances of violets do show through. The palate has a mass of rich fruit black fruits, eucalyptus, coffee and chocolate all backed by sinewy tannins. Blackberry jam gives richness and flesh towards the back but the finish has elegance and a touch of freshness. 2025-50 Rating: 95 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Dec 2013)

Saturated deep ruby. Very ripe, expressive nose offers cassis, black cherry, licorice and exotic herbs. Hugely rich, thick and powerful in the context of the vintage, but with lovely purity and a saline complexity to the flavors of crushed black cherry and boysenberry. This will need some time in bottle to harmonize its brandy but has the spine for a slow and graceful evolution in bottle. Rating: 93 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Nov 2012)

Going back and forth, the Taylor’s 2009 has a lighter nose than the 2007 with precise dark cherry, Seville orange, fresh fig and a hint of scorched soil. The palate is full-bodied packed with ripe black cherries, fresh fig and white pepper; very harmonious and focused although I feel that the 2007 has a little more depth and persistency. Very pretty and very pure, this Taylor’s may well put on weight with a couple of years in bottle and merit a higher mark. Tasted May 2011. Rating: 95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jun 2011)