1985 Barros Vintage Port
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 4:05 pm
This was from a bottle purchased in 2007 during a ski trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado and well stored since I purchased it. It was a little expensive, as you might imagine in a ski resort, but I had never encountered any Barros Vintages ... so I splurged.
Stood up 2 days ahead of decanting. Fill level was mid-neck with no signs of leaking. About 3/4 of the cork came out (I seem to have really terrible luck with corks) and I pushed the rest into the bottle. Filtered through a fine-mesh strainer. Very fruity aroma as I poured with a color best described as brick red, fading to a clear rim. There is no transition in color - it goes from brick red directly to a clear rim. Got a good, clean pour into the decanter and filtered the last couple of ounces into a glass. The first sip was a little muted, with hints of blackberries and a little more heat than I usually like. I put the rest of the glass and decanter away for the afternoon.
+ 6 hours: This is definitely ready to drink. Aromas of blackberry jam, now. The fruit is no longer muted: dominate flavors are blackberry, currant and a hint of molasses. The heat that I experienced in the morning has significantly diminished and the tannins (which I did not really notice in the morning) are smooth and silky. Mouthfeel is "medium" ... neither syrupy nor thin, and the finish is of medium length.
I had fairly low expectations from this bottle, and they were definitely exceeded. This is probably at its peak, now, so drink 'em if you got 'em.
Overall score: 91 points.
-- Gary
Stood up 2 days ahead of decanting. Fill level was mid-neck with no signs of leaking. About 3/4 of the cork came out (I seem to have really terrible luck with corks) and I pushed the rest into the bottle. Filtered through a fine-mesh strainer. Very fruity aroma as I poured with a color best described as brick red, fading to a clear rim. There is no transition in color - it goes from brick red directly to a clear rim. Got a good, clean pour into the decanter and filtered the last couple of ounces into a glass. The first sip was a little muted, with hints of blackberries and a little more heat than I usually like. I put the rest of the glass and decanter away for the afternoon.
+ 6 hours: This is definitely ready to drink. Aromas of blackberry jam, now. The fruit is no longer muted: dominate flavors are blackberry, currant and a hint of molasses. The heat that I experienced in the morning has significantly diminished and the tannins (which I did not really notice in the morning) are smooth and silky. Mouthfeel is "medium" ... neither syrupy nor thin, and the finish is of medium length.
I had fairly low expectations from this bottle, and they were definitely exceeded. This is probably at its peak, now, so drink 'em if you got 'em.
Overall score: 91 points.
-- Gary