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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.

F85, decanted 10am. Ahh, an old-fashioned 1985 Fonseca. I’ve had these before. Red-purple, 80% opaque. taste huge, velvety, and not yet fully open. Big black damsons, and a touch of mint.

From an impeccably cellared stash bought jointly by some of the team in 2012. Very well cellared, but needing another decade or so in that cellar.

I love this wine, but on the night I didn't think it was showing the best. Very opaque, unbelievably red. A great nose, I think it was sniffing me back. This was a little tart and a little closed. I feel so unfair.

Imperial College stock. Deep red, some bricking on the edge but still very, very dark; opaque. Youthful and concentrated on the nose expressing eucalyptus and lemon grass. Sweet and full bodied impact, with generous fruit and dry tannins forming the core of the wine. Deep and complex with a wonderful mix of youth and maturity. A huge presence on the palate, but a wonderful lusciousness. Dry cheeks and massive fruit on the aftertaste and finish. A monumental port, still many years from its peak. 93/100. 02-Apr-13. Decanted 8 hours.