2013 was a ripe year in the Hills, with many of the regions reds carrying an extra spoonful of jam.

Indeed this looks more blackberried and glycerol-sweet this vintage, with less spice the obvious trade-off. Still, despite the blurriness that a little extra ripeness gives this still looks carefully made, the oak carefully nuanced, the acid surprisingly taut.

Perhaps a little bittersweet and warm to finish, yet still finely tannic, this is an entirely respectable wine, if not in the same realm as the 12.

Source: Sample
Tasted: Nov 14
Drink: 2014-2019
Score: 18/20, 93/100
Would I buy it? Not quite. Maybe with age, but I’d much prefer buying the 12.
Buy online: Shaw + Smith website