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A small 1983-1985 double horizontal was held on Tuesday 2nd April 2013 at The Bung Hole.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1983 and 1985 Dow;
• 1983 and 1985 Graham;
• 1983 and 1985 Warre;
• 1983 and 1985 Taylor;
• 1983 and 1985 Fonseca;
• Placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

D83. Red-pink, 40% opaque. Taste soft and delicate. Feminine. Maybe pink cherries? Light, some heat, delicious and very long.

Initially much preferred to the D85 my only ’83 preference over ’85. But as the evening progressed it fell apart. Moral: drink quickly.

Very pale, to tawny. On the nose this seemed to hit me with some chocolate. Dry with a fair amount of heat.

Brick red, mature; more evolved than the 1985 shown alongside and slightly murky. Harsh on the nose, showing a little fruit and some charcoal. Medium weight on the palate, dry but with plenty of fruit. Lively and enjoyable with excellent layering that rewards patience on the palate. A gentle ripe mandarin acidity supports and cuts through the sweetness. The tannins are fully resolved. There is a fruit driven aftertaste that leads to a big finish of long length. This is more elegant than most Dow ports. 89/100. 02-Apr-13. Decanted 9½ hours.