1985 Warre’s Vintage Port

[nicos neocleous]

TN: 1985 Warre’s Vintage Port

Snow in London is an excellent excuse to crack open a bottle of Port. It was time for action...

Warre’s 1985 Vintage Port and I have the longest relationship of any wine that I have ever owned or drunk. I first sampled its charms when I was a university undergraduate in the 1990’s. This led to me buying first one case of 12 bottles, then a second, then a third. I have enjoyed many an evening sharing bottles with family and friends.

It has evolved from a slightly moody yet straightforward Port into the adult that it is today. Decanted for four hours and drunk over a further three hours. Deep strawberry red with a slightly pink rim. The faintly herbal nose has a certain delicacy about it. The palate is semi-sweet, Christmas cake spice with a dash of marzipan and a smudge of alcohol on the respectable finish. This will not have the structure of the 1977, or the depth of the 1970, or the power of the 1994. It does, however, hold plenty of drinkable charm and character. I have opened and drunk about 30 bottles so far. None corked, none spoiled, all enjoyable. No need to age this further, at 27 years old it is winter pleasure in a Port glass.

[Roy Hersh]

Why do your tasting notes always start off like they're written by James Bond?

Glad you enjoy this Port recently NN!