Reddish but with a bit more purple than the Dow 1985. Very muted on the nose. Gives away nothing. In the mouth, rounded sugary fruit. Quite citrus like acidity. Quite short after-taste. Vestige of tannins on back of mouth. The extra maturity this had to the other Graham 1985 made me prefer it, even if the other was less ‟flawed”.
The first of two bottles of G85 tasted at this tasting. Medium dark colour, quite spirited but almost no smell. On tasting, seemed partly corked (identical edge to the G83 I tried recently and also marked as partly corked; interesting co-incidence or...), very dry flavour.
Mid red, paling in the centre, 60% opaque. Very little on the nose; flat, perhaps with some nuttiness. Sweet, raisiny fruit hits the palate on taking a sip and patience brings sweet cherry and some lovely spice. Tingling tannins. Slightly hot aftertaste, long and pleasant finish mixing pine resin with sweet cherry and raisin. Enjoyable. 85/100.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.