1985 Martinez

[Alex Bridgeman]

Initial impressions after 20 minutes in the decanter.

Crystal clear, mid-red colour holding into the rim, transparent centre. Beautiful smell of strwberry syrup rising out of the glass but with a bit of a dirty / hot tone when you put your nose into the glass. Very poised and elegant in the mouth, some lovely restraint. Lots of fruit, lots of tannins, huge acidity but plenty going on to keep me interested in the way this is going to develop. A bit harsh when you swallow, with the acidity and the alcohol fighting to see which can burn the back of your throat the most, but a great, very long, lingering, chocolate and cherry aftertaste when the fight has finished.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Some pictures follow:

The bottle:


The very garish Wine Society label:

[Alex Bridgeman]

The unbranded capsule, showing how depressed it was. Note that despite this being a 1985 vintage port that there is no sello. Interesting.


The crud around the cork, showing the evidence of probable seeping:

[Alex Bridgeman]

The deposits at the bottom of the (doubled up) filter paper. I've not rinsed out the bottle so can't comment on what was left inside it.


The decanting equipment in full view:

[DRT]

I recognise that BBQ

[Alex Bridgeman]

The shipper's name branded on the cork:


And the vintage can be inferred from the bottling date:

[Alex Bridgeman]

The colour of the wine in the glass after 20 minutes of air contact:

[Alex Bridgeman]

After 2½ hours in the decanter, this port is absolutely wonderful.

On the nose it's got a lovely dusty toned red cherry juice showing. All the heat and harshness from earlier has gone. The elegance and poise on the tongue and in the mouth is still there, but the acidity has eased off a bit. The tannins still show, but are a little more organised and provide structure rather than distraction. And what do they provide structure for? A wonderful combination of sweet, red fruit and some delicious spicy coriander and capiscum.

The aftertaste is certainly a great feature of this port. Lovely black liquorice that just plays around the sides of the tongue and the insides of the cheeks.

This is a wonderful port, one I shall really enjoy and savour over the evening. Scoring - I rate this wine on the current display as 92/100. It may pick up another point later tonight if it continues to put on weight and refinement.

[KillerB]

After 2½ hours in the decanter, this port is absolutely wonderful.

On the nose it's got a lovely dusty toned red cherry juice showing. All the heat and harshness from earlier has gone. The elegance and poise on the tongue and in the mouth is still there, but the acidity has eased off a bit. The tannins still show, but are a little more organised and provide structure rather than distraction. And what do they provide structure for? A wonderful combination of sweet, red fruit and some delicious spicy coriander and capiscum.

The aftertaste is certainly a great feature of this port. Lovely black liquorice that just plays around the sides of the tongue and the insides of the cheeks.

This is a wonderful port, one I shall really enjoy and savour over the evening. Scoring - I rate this wine on the current display as 92/100. It may pick up another point later tonight if it continues to put on weight and refinement.

Make sure that you leave some for tomorrow - you are unlikely to regret it.

[Conky]

Alex,

Wonderful. As a man with a soft spot for this Port, I'm pleased you are enjoying it. I also think it might be a little better after a day.

Alan.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Make sure that you leave some for tomorrow - you are unlikely to regret it.

It is, indeed, extremely nice. Probably a point better than last night.

Simply scrumptious.