NOSE - Big, quite rich, yet sweetly Sherried. There are notes of allspice, raisin and date with a sprig of mint, before fruit cake and Sherried funkiness come in. Things progress through chocolate (fruit and nut) and the smell of new wellies (this is a positive), then tea bread with butter, and wet reeds. A drop of water brings out more earthy notes along with sweet fig and cinnamon. PALATE - Soft and, like the nose, quite sweet. There's even a hint of vanilla at the start, before the dark fruits come in and it starts to grow in weight and chewiness before a late burst of citrus. There's a further burst of rich, cooked berry fruits. Water brings out roast almond, black cherry and coriander. FINISH - Gingerbread and raisin. CONCLUSION - A rock-solid, old-style, balanced, 12-year-old Sherried.