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At Wolfgang’s excellent instigation, we gathered in the Bung Hole to quality-assure a batch of Taylor 1985.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1985 Taylor:
  • T85 (α alpha);
  • T85 (β beta);
  • T85 (γ gamma);
  • T85 (δ delta);
  • T85 (ε epsilon);
  • T85 (ζ zeta);
• 1994 Tesco;
• Placemats (and parameters by which constructed);
• Planning and arrangements.

T85 (ε epsilon): decanted 1pm, the cork being pushed by Wolfgang, my corkscrew failing to grip it the cork which fell in. At D+0 a hint of cheese in the nose, but that had gone by 7pm. It had some heat, more than that of δ but less than that of α, but none of the spice in the latter. Another lovely example of T85.

One of 6 bottles from the same case of Taylor 1985 consumed at the same tasting to investigate how much bottle variation could be found in bottles that had good and identical provenance. The bottles were of very similar appearance in the glass, looking to be brick red and in the early stages of maturity and 60% opaque, with only Bottle 2 being slightly more brown than the others.

Bottle 5: The cork fell into the bottle when this bottle was opened. This was wide awake on the nose, probably the most pronounced nose of the 6, with plenty of fruit and a lovely menthol tone - very similar to bottle 1. The nose toned down a little after sitting in the glass for an hour or two. On entry, this had a lovely texture and brought fine, sweet fruit. The tannisn were well integrated and quite lively on the mid-palate to give an overall fine palate with a lovely presence. Big and fine aftertaste with fruit and red peppercorn on the earthy finish that turns slowly into strawberry syrup later. My favourite of the 6 bottles. 89/100.