Vintageport.se

Est. 2011

Great Vintage Port Tasting

Vintage 1985

The year 2020 will be remembered for the Corona Pandemic and for wine lovers this led to many cancelled tastings. So was the case for our wine club The Wine Society 18%. Thanks to a lower number of infected persons and the fact that we have a great place, providing plenty of space, for our tastings in Malmö, we could arrange our annual Great Tasting as planned. This year we had decided to taste Vintage Ports from 1985, now reaching a maturity of 35 years.

We have ranked the 1985 Vintage as Outstanding to Classic. The Vintage was generally declared, and we know of no less than 79 brands of Vintage Ports from the Vintage. For this tasting we had collected 59 Vintage Ports and due to this we chose to use two days for the tasting. So, on September 17 we tasted two flights with twelve wines per flight. On September 19 we continued, starting with eleven wines followed by another two flights with twelve wines per flight. It was hard work for sure – but of course also very enjoyable. All wines were served semi-blind. We knew which wines that were in each flight but did not know what wine was in which glass.

Overall impression of the Vintage is that many wines perform on top now and that most producers have done outstanding wines in the Vintage. We got confirmation that 1985 is the best Vintage in the 1980’s. There were about ten bottles that were no longer so good, with unbalanced acidity, many from Real Companhia Velha. On the other end, there were more than a handful wines that still appears very young and that will still improve with some more years in the cellar.

Fonseca came out as the overall winner just ahead of Dow’s and on third place Taylor’s. Both Fonseca and Dow’s still appear very young and dark with amazing structure and tannins.

Not only the British houses performed well, both Kopke, Calem and Rozes made it to the top ten. These are all wonderful today and at their peak.

First flight:
Flight 1

Second flight:
Flight 2

Third flight:
Flight 3

Fourth flight:
Flight 4

Fifth flight:
Flight 5

Tasting notes. Note that the points are for the actual bottle tasted. Read about how we set point on the page "How to understand our points valuations"

Sort on: Name Sten's rank Jörgen's rank Stefan's rank Group's rank

HouseAndresenVintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetRoses, herbs but also some pharmacy and old hospital in the nose.
TasteMedium body Mature peaking with some old round acidity. Completely drinkable but will not be better so drink up. Quite tasty and with a rather long and attractive finish.
SAI point15.25JB point16.75SS point15.25Group point15.38
SAI rank43JB rank9SS rank47Group rank32
Comment
HouseBarrosVintage1985
ColourNot so impressive in colour but yellow and mature.
BouquetNot so impressive nose. Some fudge and toffee in bouquet.
TasteQuite light. Mature and peaking. Will not be better. Nice acidity. Sweet. Some toffee and fudge in taste. Balanced with a quite nice finish. Very easy to drink indeed.
SAI point15.00JB point15.50SS point15.40Group point15.09
SAI rank47JB rank43SS rank43Group rank40
Comment
HouseBerry BrosVintage1985
ColourStill quite dark but with a yellow mature, quite beautiful colour.
BouquetLiquorice, toffee, candy, dried fruit and old grocery shop in bouquet.
TasteMedium body. Sweet and mature almost peaking. Will probably not be much better. Liquorice, toffee and dried fruit in flavour. Rather rich and complex port with a quite nice finish.
SAI point15.90JB point15.90SS point16.75Group point15.47
SAI rank29JB rank35SS rank12Group rank30
CommentThe port is from Smith Woodhouse
HouseBorgesVintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetZest of a lemon, roses, candy and dried fruit in the nose
TasteMedium body. Mature and rather sweet. Peaking but with some old very elegant acidity. Completely balanced. Roses and candy in taste. Easy to drink and like with a quite attractive finish.
SAI point15.50JB point15.50SS point16.00Group point15.44
SAI rank37JB rank43SS rank25Group rank31
Comment
HouseBurmesterVintage1985
ColourYellow mature, quite nice in colour.
BouquetCrème caramel, Christmas raisin, ginger bread, figs and Christmas spiciness in the nose
TasteMedium body. Mature and at its peak and will probably not be better but is lovely today. Ginger bread, toffee and Christmas spiciness in taste. Balance with a lovely and quite long finish. Quite attractive, elegant and rather complex port.
SAI point16.40JB point16.50SS point16.25Group point15.56
SAI rank19JB rank15SS rank24Group rank28
Comment
HouseCalemVintage1985
ColourStill very dark but yellow mature in colour.
BouquetCacao, vanilla, toffee, old grocery shop, cream candy, ginger, chocolate and with some spiciness in the nose.
TasteMedium bodied. Mature but still with some quite soft tannin and is probably peaking. Vanilla, toffee and dark chocolate in flavour. Sweet. Complex and balanced port with an attractive and long quite intensive finish. Lovely today! Just enjoy it!
SAI point17.00JB point16.50SS point17.00Group point16.31
SAI rank5JB rank15SS rank7Group rank8
Comment
HouseChurchillVintage1985
ColourStill dark blue in colour.
BouquetPharmacy, old hospital and ether in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Fairly sweet. Fruity flavour. Not attractive. Unbalanced and with ether and volatile acidity but rather nice in the finish.
SAI point13.00JB point15.00SS point12.00Group point13.47
SAI rank59JB rank57SS rank54Group rank55
Comment
HouseCockburnVintage1985
ColourStill dark but mature yellow in colour.
BouquetPharmacy and an alcoholic nose which is not harmonic at all.
TasteNot quite balance. We have had 4 bottles of this vintage which have not been balance and good. Very strange. Avoid this vintage
SAI point14.00JB point10.00SS point12.00Group point12.03
SAI rank54JB rank57SS rank54Group rank58
Comment
HouseCroftVintage1985
ColourStill rather dark but yellow mature in colour
BouquetComplex with toffee, liquorice, cacao and old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteAlmost full-body. Rather mature but still with some very soft and attractive tannins. Will probably be better! Roasted nuts, cacao and liquorice in the taste. Elegant and quite complex with a balanced and quite long finish.
SAI point16.75JB point16.75SS point17.25Group point16.22
SAI rank10JB rank9SS rank6Group rank10
Comment
HouseDalva
C. da Silva
Vintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetFudge, crème caramel, candy, some cacao and mint in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and on top but still with some very soft and elegant tannins. Balanced, quite complex and rather elegant with a quite decent finish. Easy to drink and enjoy but will not be much better, so drink and enjoy it now. Quite enjoyable port.
SAI point15.40JB point15.00SS point14.00Group point14.88
SAI rank38JB rank48SS rank50Group rank47
Comment
HouseDelaforceVintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetRaisin, crème caramel, candy, a hint of cacao and burned sugar in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking and will not be better. Balanced and silky, sweet and complex with crème caramel, candy and burned sugar in taste. Easy to drink and enjoy. Quite delicious finish.
SAI point16.25JB point16.24SS point16.50Group point14.69
SAI rank21JB rank24SS rank16Group rank50
Comment
HouseDon Pavral
Real Comp. Velha
Vintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetToffee, fudge and candy in the nose.
TasteHardly medium body. Mature and peaking. Seem a little tired but with some old quite nice and round acidity. Quite balanced with toffee and candy in taste. The finish is quite good and enjoyable. Drink up. Will absolutely not be better.
SAI point15.25JB point15.50SS point15.75Group point15.09
SAI rank43JB rank43SS rank34Group rank40
Comment
HouseDowVintage1985
ColourStill very dark but mature yellow in colour.
BouquetLovely bouquet of dark berries, dried fruit, nuts, burned candy, fudge, old grocery shop but also cinnamon, ginger and toffee in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied. Butterscotch, burned candy, old grocery shop, nuts and lots of other things in flavour. Complex and elegant. Almost mature and peaking but still some very soft and very elegant tannin. Very dry. Balance and lovely port with a very attractive and long almost never ending finish.
SAI point17.75JB point17.50SS point18.00Group point14.91
SAI rank3JB rank2SS rank3Group rank2
Comment
HouseFeistVintage1985
ColourVery mature yellow in colour.
BouquetToffee, crème caramel, cacao and some chocolate in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and on top. Balanced and quite elegant with crème caramel and chocolate in taste. The finish is very enjoyable indeed! This is a good mature port.
SAI point15.90JB point16.75SS point16.75Group point15.13
SAI rank29JB rank9SS rank12Group rank39
Comment
HouseFerreiraVintage1985
ColourRather dark but yellow mature in colour.
BouquetMenthol, toffee, some chocolate and burned sugar in bouquet.
TasteMedium body. Some sweetness. Elegant and easy to like and drink. Mature and at its peak. Burned sugar, dark chocolate and some herbs in flavour. Quite attractive and intensive finish.
SAI point16.75JB point16.40SS point16.50Group point16.19
SAI rank10JB rank20SS rank16Group rank11
Comment
HouseFeuerheerdVintage1985
ColourYellow, mature in colour.
BouquetFudge, liquorice, some herbs such as ginger ginger and burned sugar in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and at its peak. Fudge, ginger and liquorice in flavour. Balanced and rather sweet with a quite long and seductive finish.
SAI point15.90JB point15.90SS point15.50Group point15.84
SAI rank29JB rank34SS rank36Group rank20
Comment
HouseFonsecaVintage1985
ColourStill very dark but yellow, mature in colour.
BouquetVery complex bouquet of fudge, toffee, old grocery shop, violet, cacao, dark chocolate, some coffee and crème caramel. Excellent nose.
TasteFull-bodied. Mature and peaking but with a long life ahead. Sweet and very tasty with old grocery shop, toffee, cacao, some coffee, crème caramel and lots of other wonderful things. Powerful but elegant and very complex. The finish never seems to end. A great port and will be a long runner. Wonderful indeed!
SAI point18.25JB point18.00SS point18.75Group point18.09
SAI rank1JB rank1SS rank1Group rank1
Comment
HouseGilbertVintage1985
ColourYellow, mature in colour.
BouquetCandy, cream candy cacao, vanilla and mature raspberry in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced with some old but quite attractive acidity. Cream candy, vanilla and cacao in taste. A light and nice finish. Very easy to drink and like.
SAI point15.90JB point16.25SS point16.00Group point16.06
SAI rank29JB rank23SS rank25Group rank14
Comment
HouseGonzalesVintage1985
ColourYellow and mature quite beautiful in colour.
BouquetLovely bouquet of toffee, fudge, candy and burned sugar in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature with toffee in the taste. Peaking and will not be better. Sweet. Balanced and elegant port with a quite long and tasty finish.
SAI point15.40JB point15.75SS point15.50Group point15.31
SAI rank38JB rank38SS rank36Group rank34
Comment
HouseGould CampbellVintage1985
ColourStill very dark but yellow mature in colour.
BouquetLiquorice, toffee, some orange zest, some cacao, butterscotch and crème caramel in the nose.
TasteAlmost full-bodied. Toffee, cacao, roasted coffee, crème caramel and much more in flavour. Quite mature and peaking but still some soft and very elegant tannins. Will probably not be much better? Balanced and complex with an elegant, long and quite attractive finish.
SAI point17.00JB point16.90SS point17.40Group point16.97
SAI rank5JB rank7SS rank5Group rank4
Comment
HouseGrahamVintage1985
ColourQuite dark and yellow mature in colour.
BouquetLiquorice, ginger, dried fruit and herbs in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied. Toffee, fudge, cherry and candy in taste. Quite mature but with still a hint of acidity. Complex and quite elegant with long finish. This bottle is not at all up to the standard of Graham 1985
SAI point16.00JB point16.25SS point12.00Group point15.63
SAI rank26JB rank23SS rank54Group rank26
Comment
HouseHooperVintage1985
ColourMature yellow in colour.
BouquetCoffee, tea, cacao, beets and butterscotch in the nose
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced and quite elegant. Cacao, coffee and burned sugar in flavour and an interesting and quite attractive finish. Easy to drink and like.
SAI point14.90JB point15.00SS point14.00Group point14.16
SAI rank49JB rank48SS rank50Group rank51
Comment
HouseKopkeVintage1985
ColourStill very dark but mature yellow in colour.
BouquetWonderful nose. Chocolate, tea, cinnamon, ginger, but also some other herbs, old grocery shop, cream candy, marzipan and much more in the nose.
TasteQuite full-bodied. Mature, peaking and elegant. Old grocery shop, cinnamon, ginger and many other lovely things in flavour. Very tasty indeed with a balanced, delicate and excellent finish. A wonderful port indeed port!
SAI point17.00JB point16.50SS point17.00Group point16.28
SAI rank5JB rank15SS rank7Group rank9
Comment
HouseMaia
Douro Wine Shippers and Growers Association
Vintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetToffee, fudge burned sugar and butterscotch in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and on top. Quite balanced with some round and quite attractive acidity. Toffee, burned sugar and butterscotch in taste. Quite attractive but a little short finish. Will not be better but is very good today so drink up and enjoy.
SAI point14.50JB point15.50SS point15.75Group point15.03
SAI rank52JB rank43SS rank34Group rank43
Comment
HouseMartinezVintage1985
ColourStill rather dark but yellow mature in colour.
BouquetFudge, red whortleberry, mature raspberry, dark chocolate, some herbs and burned sugar in the nose.
TasteMedium bodied. Mature and peaking. Balanced and elegant. Taste of mature red berries, cacao and dark chocolate with a quite nice, long and quite complex finish. Easy to drink and like so drink up!
SAI point16.50JB point16.75SS point16.75Group point15.69
SAI rank17JB rank9SS rank12Group rank25
Comment
HouseF. MartinsVintage1985
ColourQuite beautiful, yellow mature in colour.
BouquetLiquorice, toffee, candy and nuts in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Sweet. Nuts, candy and some liquorice in taste. Balanced and elegant with a quite long and rather nice and very elegant finish.
SAI point15.90JB point15.90SS point15.90Group point15.59
SAI rank28JB rank35SS rank31Group rank27
Comment
HouseMontanha
Douro Wine Shippers and Growers Association
Vintage1985
ColourRather beautiful yellow, mature in colour.
BouquetCandy, cream candy, toffee, some cacao and burned sugar in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced with some round and quite attractive acidity. Quite sweet with candy, toffee and creme candy in taste and a very enjoyable finish.
SAI point15.40JB point15.00SS point15.90Group point15.16
SAI rank38JB rank48SS rank31Group rank38
Comment
HouseMorganVintage1985
ColourVery beautiful, yellow and mature in colour.
BouquetToffee, cream candy, candy and old grocery shop with tea and roasted coffee in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking with a wonderful balance. Very tasty with candy, cream candy, toffee, roasted coffee beans and a whole old grocery shop in taste. Very elegant and very seductive finish. This is a lovely port indeed.
SAI point16.75JB point17.00SS point16.75Group point16.06
SAI rank10JB rank6SS rank12Group rank14
Comment
HouseNiepoortVintage1985
ColourVery dark blue with a quite beautiful yellow colour.
BouquetFull-bodied. Quite mature but elegant and almost peaking. Balanced and with mint, toffee and liquorice in taste. Complex and a long quite exiting finish.
TasteFull-bodied. Quite mature but elegant and almost peaking. Balanced and with mint, toffee and liquorice in taste. Complex and a long quite exiting finish.
SAI point16.25JB point16.00SS point16.00Group point15.38
SAI rank21JB rank29SS rank25Group rank32
Comment
HouseOffley Boa VistaVintage1985
ColourVery yellow mature in colour.
BouquetCoffee, some tea, raisin, some dried fruit and old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteMedium bodied. Mature and peaking. Balanced but will not be better. Very easy to drink and enjoy today. Sweet. Rather complex with a round finish.
SAI point15.40JB point15.00SS point14.90Group point15.00
SAI rank38JB rank48SS rank48Group rank44
Comment
HouseOsborneVintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetCandy, burned sugar, toffee and some walnuts and a hint of pharmacy in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced and quite sweet. Easy to drink and like with toffee, butterscotch and candy in taste. Nice and seductive finish. Will not be better so drink and enjoy it.
SAI point14.75JB point15.75SS point15.50Group point15.28
SAI rank51JB rank38SS rank36Group rank36
Comment
HouseA. Pinto dos Santos Jr.Vintage1985
ColourYellow and mature quite beautiful in colour.
BouquetCacao, chocolate, herbs, spiciness and some dried fruit in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and on top. Balanced with some old and very attractive acidity. Very tasty with cacao, dark chocolate, many herbs and spiciness in the taste. Fresh and quite attractive and long finish.
SAI point16.90JB point16.00SS point16.00Group point15.94
SAI rank9JB rank29SS rank25Group rank19
Comment
HousePocas Jr.Vintage1985
ColourStill dark but yellow mature in colour.
BouquetRoasted coffee, fudge, toffee, sweet liquorice, roasted almond and cacao in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Sweet. Mature and almost peaking even if some very soft tannins still remains. Elegant and balanced. Long and very attractive finish. A wonderful port from Pocas and very easy to drink and enjoy.
SAI point15.90JB point16.75SS point15.50Group point15.72
SAI rank29JB rank9SS rank36Group rank24
Comment
HousePousada
Pocas Jr.
Vintage1985
ColourYellow, mature, quite beautiful in colour.
BouquetOld grocery shop, herbs coffee, tea and figs in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and at its peak. Balanced. Quite elegant and complex with a generous, complex and balanced finish. This port is very easy to drink and enjoy.
SAI point16.25JB point16.50SS point16.40Group point15.84
SAI rank21JB rank15SS rank22Group rank20
Comment
HousePresidential
C. da Silva
Vintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetCandy, toffee, burned sugar, some roasted coffee beans and butterscotch in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced with some attractive acidity. Candy, toffee and butterscotch in taste with a quite long and rather tasty finish. Quite attractive port!
SAI point15.75JB point15.75SS point15.40Group point15.31
SAI rank34JB rank38SS rank43Group rank34
Comment
HouseQuarles HarrisVintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetVolatile acidity, pharmacy, ether and old hospital in the nose. The nose is very strange indeed.
TasteMedium body. Defect with a lot of volatile acidity. Lots of unbalanced acidity and not quite drinkable. The first time we have had such of bad bottle from Quarles Harris vintage 1985
SAI point14.00JB point10.00SS point9.00Group point11.47
SAI rank54JB rank58SS rank59Group rank59
Comment
HouseQuinta do Cachao
Messias
Vintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetZest of lemon, some flowers but also pharmacy and old hospital.
TasteMedium body. Mature but with some volatile acidity. Zest of lemon, some flowers but also pharmacy in taste. Drinkable and quite easy to enjoy with a quite attractive and anyhow acceptable finish.
SAI point15.00JB point16.00SS point12.00Group point14.78
SAI rank47JB rank29SS rank54Group rank48
Comment
HouseQuinta Dona Matilde
Sainsbury
Vintage1985
ColourRather beautiful yellow, mature in colour.
BouquetCandy, some toffee, ginger and some herbs in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and on top. Will not be better. Balanced and quite elegant with candy, toffee and ginger in taste. The finish is quite complex and lovely. This port is very easy to enjoy and drink.
SAI point16.00JB point15.75SS point15.90Group point15.09
SAI rank26JB rank38SS rank31Group rank40
Comment
HouseQuinta do NovalVintage1985
ColourMature yellow in colour and still quite dark.
BouquetCream candy, figs, fudge, butterscotch, some cacao and dried fruit in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Attractive taste with figs, candy butterscotch and fudge in taste. Balanced and elegant with a long, rather complex and very attractive finish. Just enjoy it!
SAI point16.75JB point16.25SS point16.50Group point16.09
SAI rank10JB rank23SS rank16Group rank13
Comment
HouseQuinta do Noval NacionalVintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetToffee, crème caramel, coffee, cacao, butterscotch and old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteQuite full-bodied. Almost mature and peaking. Balanced and quite elegant with toffee, crème caramel cacao and butterscotch in taste, Lovely, seductive and long finish.
SAI point17.00JB point16.40SS point17.00Group point16.34
SAI rank5JB rank19SS rank7Group rank7
Comment
HouseQuinta da RomaneiraVintage1985
ColourMature yellow in colour.
BouquetDried fruit, mature berry, some herbs and burned sugar in the nose with a hint of pharmacy.
TasteRather light in body. Quite mature and at its peak. Balanced with dried fruit in taste. Easy to drink and like. Have a nice and quite attractive finish.
SAI point15.25JB point16.40SS point15.50Group point14.94
SAI rank43JB rank20SS rank36Group rank45
Comment
HouseQuinta Sao Luiz
Kopke
Vintage1985
ColourStill quite dark blue but yellow mature colour.
BouquetLovely old grocery shop, candy, cacao and ginger bread in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature but still some very soft and rounded tannins. Is almost peaking and will not be much better. Very easy to appreciate already now. Elegant and balanced with a lovely and rather long finish.
SAI point16.75JB point16.50SS point16.40Group point16.16
SAI rank10JB rank15SS rank22Group rank12
Comment
HouseQuinta de Vale da Figueira
Calem
Vintage1985
ColourYellow, mature and quite nice in colour.
BouquetLovely bouquet with toffee, ginger, zest of lemon, roasted coffee and citrus in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking with some old balanced acidity. Complex and with ginger and toffee in taste. Easy to drink and like with a long and attractive finish.
SAI point16.40JB point16.40SS point16.00Group point15.78
SAI rank19JB rank20SS rank25Group rank22
Comment
HouseRamos PintoVintage1985
ColourStill dark but with a yellow mature edge in colour.
BouquetLovely bouquet. Dark cherries, coffee, cacao, toffee and cream candy but also with some curry and violet in the nose.
TasteQuite full-bodied. Mature and almost peaking but still with some soft, very elegant tannins and will improve. Toffee, candy liquorice and much more in taste. Quite dry but balance and with a complex and elegant, long finish.
SAI point16.75JB point16.25SS point99.99Group point16.03
SAI rank10JB rank24SS rank10Group rank16
Comment
HouseReal Comp. VelhaVintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetBurned sugar, liquorice, French plums, cacao and some cinnamon and a hint of pharmacy in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced and still elegant with burned sugar and toffee in taste. Easy to drink and like. Nice and quite acceptable finish with some round old acidity but will not be better so drink up and enjoy.
SAI point14.90JB point14.50SS point15.40Group point14.16
SAI rank51JB rank53SS rank49Group rank51
Comment
HouseReal VinicolaVintage1985
ColourMature yellow almost tawny in colour.
BouquetRed berries, candy and a hint of pharmacy in the nose.
TasteHardly medium body. Mature and at least peaking even a bit tired but almost balanced and quite drinkable. Rather easy to drink with sweetness and a nice but rather short finish.
SAI point14.00JB point14.50SS point14.00Group point13.81
SAI rank54JB rank53SS rank50Group rank53
Comment
HouseRei Manuel
Royal Oporto
Vintage1985
ColourMature light yellow in colour.
BouquetButterscotch, herbs and burned sugar in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced but with some old quite nice acidity. Butterscotch and burned sugar in taste. Quite enjoyable with an acceptable and quite nice finish.
SAI point15.40JB point15.00SS point15.40Group point14.72
SAI rank38JB rank48SS rank43Group rank49
Comment
HouseRomarizVintage1985
ColourYellow mature very beautiful in colour.
BouquetCacao, candy, cream candy, coffee and some spiciness in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and at its peak. Balanced and quite elegant and attractive. Will not be better. Easy to drink and like with cacao, candy, cream candy and dark chocolate in taste and with a quite long finish. Quite attractive port indeed.
SAI point16.25JB point16.75SS point16.50Group point15.75
SAI rank21JB rank9SS rank16Group rank23
Comment
HouseRoyal OportoVintage1985
ColourMature yellow in colour.
BouquetSome cacao, burned sugar and beets but also some pharmacy in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and at its peak but also some old not quite harmonious acidity. Burned sugar and some cacao in flavour. Seem a bit tires but rather nice finish. Still quite enjoyable but drink up.
SAI point14.40JB point16.00SS point14.50Group point13.69
SAI rank53JB rank30SS rank49Group rank54
Comment
HouseRozesVintage1985
ColourStill quite dark ruby in colour but with a yellow, mature rim.
BouquetStill some mulberry, liquorice, fudge, cacao, marzipan, roasted coffee and old grocery shop in the nose. Quite elegant bouquet.
TasteMedium body. Mature almost peaking but will maybe be a little better. Balanced, quite sweet and complex. Fudge, cacao and roasted coffee in flavour. Quite long and attractive finish. This is indeed a lovely port.
SAI point16.75JB point17.25SS point16.50Group point16.41
SAI rank10JB rank4SS rank16Group rank6
Comment
HouseSandemanVintage1985
ColourStill rather dark but yellow mature in colour.
BouquetToffee, cacao and some fudge in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and even a bit old with some acidity. In taste. Still rather balanced and interesting. Easy to enjoy with a quite nice finish but Sandman’s 1985 have never been convincing.
SAI point13.50JB point15.40SS point14.00Group point12.81
SAI rank58JB rank56SS rank50Group rank57
Comment
HouseSkeffingtonVintage1985
ColourYellow mature quite nice colour.
BouquetComplex nose of candy, crème caramel, toffee and old grocery shop.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Elegant and balanced port with toffee, cream candy, crème caramel in taste. Long, lovely and very attractive finish.
SAI point16.50JB point16.25SS point16.50Group point15.97
SAI rank17JB rank24SS rank16Group rank18
Comment
HouseSmith WoodhouseVintage1985
ColourMature yellow in colour.
BouquetCacao, old grocery shop, cinnamon, toffee, Christmas spiciness, candy and ginger bread in the nose.
TasteQuite full-bodied. Mature and almost peaking. Will probably be better. Gingerbread, cinnamon and a lot of other things in flavour. Complex and balanced with an attractive and rather long finish.
SAI point16.25JB point16.90SS point16.90Group point16.03
SAI rank21JB rank7SS rank10Group rank16
Comment
HouseGuedes
Real Comp. Velha
Vintage1985
ColourStill rather dark but yellow mature in colour.
BouquetPharmacy and volatile acidity but also some orange zest and herbs in the nose.
TasteMedium body Quite hard to enjoy due to the volatile acidity but with sweetness anyhow.
SAI point14.00JB point13.25SS point12.00Group point13.28
SAI rank54JB rank55SS rank54Group rank56
Comment
HouseTaylorVintage1985
ColourBeautiful, very dark but yellow mature in colour.
BouquetWonderful bouquet of roses, violets, crème caramel, nuts, cinnamon, ginger, orange zest and roasted coffee in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied. Almost mature and peaking but still some soft and lovely tannins and will be better and on top many years ahead. Violets, crème caramel, Christmas spiciness and much more in flavour. Complex and attractive port with an extremely long finish which never seem to end. What a lovely port!
SAI point18.00JB point17.40SS point18.25Group point17.47
SAI rank2JB rank3SS rank2Group rank3
Comment
Housevan ZellersVintage1985
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetDark chocolate, cacao, toffee and some candy in the nose.
TasteAlmost medium body. Mature and on top. Cacao and dark chocolate in taste. Quite sweet and balanced port with a quite long and rather attractive finish.
SAI point16.00JB point15.75SS point15.50Group point15.22
SAI rank26JB rank37SS rank36Group rank37
Comment
HouseVieira de SouzaVintage1985
ColourYellow, mature, quite dark and beautiful in colour.
BouquetToffee, crème caramel, candy, butterscotch, vanilla and burned sugar in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking with some delicious old acidity. Balanced and quite elegant with taste of burned sugar, burned candy, vanilla and crème caramel. The finish is rather long and quite nice. Will not be better so drink up as soon as you can! The port is very enjoyable now!
SAI point15.75JB point15.50SS point16.00Group point15.50
SAI rank34JB rank43SS rank25Group rank29
Comment
HouseWarreVintage1985
ColourStill dark but mature yellow in colour.
BouquetViolet, ginger, old grocery shop and cinnamon but also toffee, fudge, butterscotch and a lot more in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied. Mature and peaking but still with some very elegant and soft tannins. Balanced and very complex and attractive port. Spiciness, toffee, fudge and much more in the taste. Quite sweet with a wonderful, very long and very attractive finish. Lovely and generous port indeed.
SAI point17.25JB point17.25SS point17.50Group point16.90
SAI rank4JB rank4SS rank4Group rank5
Comment
HouseWiese & KrohnVintage1985
ColourYellow very mature almost tawny in colour.
BouquetToffee, zest of an orange, cacao, dark chocolate, raisin and dried fruit in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced and quite complex. Burned sugar, sweet liquorice and some dark chocolate in flavour with a nice, quite attractive and lovely sweet finish.
SAI point15.25JB point16.00SS point15.50Group point14.91
SAI rank43JB rank30SS rank36Group rank46
Comment

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