TN: 1985 Fonseca VP

[nicos neocleous]

Greetings Port friends!

I have been upping my Port drinking game these last few days. A Niepoort 1992 VP was delightful after a few hours in the decanter. Having drunk 8 bottles of this Port in the last 5 years, I like it in its current state and am inclined to drink through my remaining bottles over the next 5-10 years. So on to today's VP...


1985 Fonseca Vintage Port
Decanted at 10 am this morning. I have been taking nice pours all day and, 8 hours later, here we are. Initially a dark red, several hours later it is darker still. The nose offers me fine herb scented ripe red plums with a freshness that lifts it deep into my nasal passage. Sip after sip reveals a Port with hardly any noticeable alcohol. The rich yet balanced plum fruit provide a core of velvet pleasure that washes over my tongue. It's been in the decanter for 9 hours and tastes plain great. My sincere thanks to Roy Hersh for firstly strongly advising me to buy this Port some years ago, and secondly for reminding me to open a bottle this year and buy more. Cheers Roy!

[Roy Hersh]

Nicos,

Great to have you drinking Port again, no less posting here. I am honored!

When I think of all the Fonseca's that I love ... especially 1945/1948 ... and then the young ones like 1963/1966/1970/1977 (not to mention the infants: 1992/1994/1997/2000/2003) I can't say that any vintage after the 1940's has ever "bested" the 1985. Even the "100 pt. by JS" 1977/1994 versions don't appeal to me any more than the 1985. Bruce Guimaraens felt that it was his greatest achievement as a winemaker ... and I wouldn't argue. I do love it as much as the amazing troika of 63/66/70. 1985 is just a brilliant VP and if you don't have any in the cellar ... than there is a definitive hole in there!

[Al B.]

I stocked up on the F85 earlier this year - I sure hope Nicos has already done so after such a glowing reference! Demand has just moved up a gear!

By the way, I completely agree with Roy. And the added bonus is that this, I hope, will be a monster of a port that hits its peak during my lifetime.

[nicos neocleous]

I sure hope Nicos has already done so after such a glowing reference! Demand has just moved up a gear!

Yes, I have :)