75cl * 20% ABV * Douro, Portugal
Touriga Nacional
Whereas some other Vintage Ports can be almost overwhelming in their richness, Warre’s Vintage wines combine elegance, length and balance whilst still retaining the underlying rich opulence of great Vintage Port. 18 months after the 1985 harvest, the Vintage was formally ‘declared’ and at the time, Michael Symington wrote: “The acid test of course, before any declaration of a Vintage is how the wines look after having passed through their second winter, because it can often happen that young wines showing great promise fall off during the cold months of their second winter, but happily the 1985s have come through with flying colours.”
The ruby red Warre’s 1985 Vintage, now 31 years old, is wonderfully aromatic, packed with complex aromas of ripe red and dark fruits with floral undertones. On the palate typically Warre in style with tremendous elegance and finesse, packed with dark fruit flavours such as black cherry and plums, and silky tannins leading to a long and lingering finish. Drinking wonderfully now but will continue to age gracefully for many years. Symington tasting room, 2016
Andrew Jefford, The World of Fine Wine (2004) “Impressive, well-constructed aromas. Rich-textured, lush, almost salty flavours, with big piles of fruit heaped up one upon the other and a real warm brandied base beneath.”
Robert parker, The Wine Advocate (1987) "a full blown bouquet and impeccable balance.”
“Cherry red colour, lovely mature, spicy plum fruit with undertones of blackberry. Resolved tannins revealing layers of complex berry fruit and a lengthy finish." International Wine Challenge 2013 Gold Medal
Robert Parker - 90 points
Drink now - 2040