1985 Dow

[Alex Bridgeman]

Deep red, very dark with little bricking; 90% opaque. Closed on the nose, showing nothing. Vigorous swirling reveals substantial bottle stink. Closed on the palate, showing perhaps a little sweetness and hints of fruit. There are generous tannins that give a dry core to the palate but this wine is well out of balance. Closed, and one to leave in the cellar for 5 years in the hope that it will improve. 80/100.

Tasted at the Berry Brothers Port Walk on 26 November 2015.

[flash_uk]

70% opacity, dark red, little cloudy. Nose of leather. Very dry in the mouth.

[jdaw1]

Dark red, 80% oapque. Big, rich and dry. Heat mid palate. Lovely, and will be lovelier in 10Y.

Berry Bros usually open two bottles for these events. Perhaps I tasted the lucky one.