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In anticipation of a forthcoming Croft tasting in The Bunghole, 57 High Holborn, London WC1V 6DT, we thought that it might be a good idea for three of us to test the location. The trial run grew to six people, and was held in the larger room. Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1980 Offley Boa Vista;
• 1970 Cockburn;
• 1968 Graham Malvedos;
• 1983 Graham;
• 1985 Fonseca;
• 2000 Tesco (Symington);
• 1996 Niepoort LBV;
• Placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

Dark and bright red. Big cherry flavours with lots of tannin and a dry finish.

I initially guessed Fonseca, then switched to Taylor 1985.

Fabulous wine.

DRT wrote:I initially guessed Fonseca, then switched to Taylor 1985.

I can't imagine those two being remotely similar. It'd have to be a really weak Fonseca and a really powerful Taylor for them to even be close.

But the lesson here is, trust your gut!

F85 (orignally ‘CJ’): dark red, 70% opaque. Red cherries. Definitely red fruit. Heat mid-palate, mint late. Young. Big fruit. Needs 5Y.

I don’t get red fruit in F63 F66 F70 F77, but now I do in F85. Given how F85 has been for the last decade, the red fruit is surprising.

Much deeper in colour than the other Ports at the tasting though slightly hazy. Very concentrated on the nose. In the mouth initially very dry followed by good concentrated red fruit. Long aftertaste with furry tannins. Perhaps disappointing compared to other Fonseca 1985s; much drier than expected an without the luscious fruits for which one might wish.