1985 Gould Campbell Vintage Port

[Glenn E.]

Opened at the Showdown at Juarez Canyon BBQ competition in Oregon City, Oregon alongside a 1984 Kopke Colheita (2013). I wanted to really show off the difference between ruby and tawny Ports. This bottle was purchased from WTSO, and based on its cleanliness, the like-new label, and the like-new cork I suspect it was a "late release" bottle that SFE re-corked before shipping. I have at least 3 more from the same purchase.

1985 Gould Campbell Vintage Port

Color: Medium dark red/garnet. Still some hints of purple.

Nose: Mellow fruitiness consisting mostly of soft black fruits and a few very ripe red fruits. Blackberry and very ripe red raspberry, some very rich grape, and possibly some faint bing cherry.

Palate: Soft, mature, very smooth. Rich, very dark grape flavor, also a goodly amount of blackberry and some milk chocolate. Tannins are present but so smooth that you really don't notice them. Very juicy, so it has the acidity to balance the sweetness. Drinking exceptionally well right now.

Score: 94 points. This is what I expect when I open a 1985 Gould Campbell. Rich, luscious, and positively singing. Too easy to drink, though - the bottles don't last very long!