1986 Taylor Vargellas

[Alex Bridgeman]

Deep red, but centre just transparent. Roses and Turkish Delight on the nose. Smooth and balanced texture in the mouth , terrific balance between sweetness and structure. Tannins are fully integrated and the development and complexity is very impressive and delightfully complex. A little hot on the aftertaste, showing the tannins still in the wine. Huge length of cherries and pomegranites. A superb wine. 90/100. Drunk 1 Feb 2010 and the unanimous second favourite wine of the night.

[jdaw1]

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1970 Dow;
• 1975 Cockburn;
• 1975 Kopke St Luiz;
• 1975 Martinez;
• 1980 Croft Roeda;
• 1982 Sandeman;
• 1986 Taylor Quinta de Vargellas;
• Planning and arrangement;
• Placemats.

[jdaw1]

I failed to record appearance. Nose of cherry or strawberry. Huge. Lots of heat. Red fruit, very lovely. 80% full, medium length. Big, lovely. Later: pepper and spice and another word I can’t read that could be either ‟coffee” or ‟cognac”. Take your pick.

[jdaw1]

1986 Taylor Vargelles -- Quite a nice combination of walnuts and rose pedals on the nose. A bit lighter in the mouth than the Dow, but no slouch. Supple. Firm tannins still in place, with a bit of alcohol that suggests you can hold this guy for quite a few years still. While only two points lower than the Dow, a noticeable notch down in quality (IMHO). 89