1985 Churchill Vintage Port

[Glenn E.]

Another bottle from the case I purchased last December from Wine Consigners. This one finally lives up to the standard set by the bottle that jdaw1 shared with my family in Paris. Decanted about 2:00 pm and first tasted at 7:00 pm. It was very good then, but has solidified overnight and this note was taken at about +30 hours.

1985 Churchill Vintage Port
Color: Dark red with a decent amount of purple remaining. Very close to, but not quite opaque.
Nose: Blackberry, faint blueberry, soft raspberry, dust, and minerals. Some alcohol, but it's behind the fruit.
Palate: Blackberry and mulberry, backed by good tannins and decent acidity. Some of the fruit still has a tart edge, which combines with the acidity to give it a nice depth. Medium full body and neutral sweetness, though at times it has tended toward medium sweet.
Finish: Nice tannic grip followed by echos of the palate and just enough heat to remind you that it is alcoholic. Some mild woody stem. Fades quickly but still manages medium length. Tail is like an apple core.

92 points. The first two bottles from this case were very good, but this bottle is excellent. I must remember to decant the next one for 24 hours.