The colour is a very youthful brick red and the condition is bright. The wine gleams in the glass.

The immediate impression of the nose is one of liveliness and fragrance, combining black and red currant with roses, five spice and liqueur cherry. There is complexity as well with soft, toasty oak, and some of the classic Ribbon Vale tar, linseed and seaweed.

On the palate it shows the evolution of the vineyard, where once this wine was distinctly savoury now there are rich, almost sweet dark berry and cherry fruits and an almost confectionery jubey muskiness. The palate gives just a glimpse of Ribbon Vales past, with firm tannin and leather and tarry notes on the finish, but the overall impression is one of great balance and length.