1985 vintage port

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Jay Powers
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1985 vintage port

Post by Jay Powers »

My oldest daughter was born in 1985, and is graduating from college in September.

We plan to have a party at the house for her, and I was thinking that's a great excuse to have a 1985 tasting for the guests (well, primarily for me, my wife, and my father in law, but somebody else may enjoy it also) :wink: .

I have some 1985 Warre which I already know I love, Dow, and Fonseca. Can anyone suggest the "highlights of 85" list? I have only tried the Warre in the past. Decanter would put it at Warre, Grahams, Fonseca, and Dow. Any others? Also, it would probably be interesting to have a single "not so good" port in the mix...any suggestions for a (hopefully cheap) port which was not quite up to snuff?

Jay
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Roy Hersh
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Post by Roy Hersh »

I like Fonseca, Graham, Nacional, Dow, Andresen, Warre, Burmester and Smith Woodhouse in '85. Two under achievers IMO are: Taylor and Quinta do Noval.
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
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Derek T.
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Post by Derek T. »

Jay,

From my limited experience of 1985 I would say that Graham's is drinking superbly right now and Fonseca isn't quite ready.

Derek
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David Spriggs
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Post by David Spriggs »

Derek Turnbull wrote:Jay,

From my limited experience of 1985 I would say that Graham's is drinking superbly right now and Fonseca isn't quite ready.

Derek
I totally agree with this. Graham's is just super right now. Fonseca Is very closed and needs days, if not an entire week, in the decanter.

-Dave-
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Jay Powers
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Post by Jay Powers »

Roy Hersh wrote:I like Fonseca, Graham, Nacional, Dow, Andresen, Warre, Burmester and Smith Woodhouse in '85. Two under achievers IMO are: Taylor and Quinta do Noval.
I guess I'll look into finding a 85 Grahams, which I know is available around here, and save the Fonseca for later. Thanks Roy, Dave, and Derek!

Sadly Roy, I don't think I'll be able to find any 85 Nacional, but I'll certainly look!

Jay
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Steve Culhane
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Post by Steve Culhane »

On the cheap side, I've had Kopke 1985 which was a very pleasant surprise at 35$...

Steve
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Roy Hersh
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Post by Roy Hersh »

Sadly Roy, I don't think I'll be able to find any 85 Nacional, but I'll certainly look!
Jay,

I can help you source a bottle pretty easily, if you are serious about the Nacional '85.
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
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nicos neocleous
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Post by nicos neocleous »

Roy has it right here. My favourites are Fonseca, Graham, Warre, in that order.
YOLO
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