1985 Fonseca

Tasting notes for individual Ports, with an index sorted by vintage and alphabetically.
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Tasting notes for individual Ports, with an index sorted by vintage and alphabetically.
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Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14880
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

1985 Fonseca

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

There is something rather civilised about working extremely hard to some tough deadlines but at 5.00pm on Friday being able to sit down and unwind with a glass of Fonseca 1985. It's been a tough week but this does help to start the weekend properly.

Deep red and mature, opaque centre. Sweet blackberry fruit and damp, earthy sous bois on the nose. Slightly aggressive entry with lots of acidity dominating the impact. Slowly the sweet fruit and subdued tannins emerge but never match the intensity of the acidity. The black cherry fruit and black chocolate dominate the aftertaste before a big burst of pepper, that fades to a very long menthol finish. Not the greatest of glasses of this port. 86/100. Drunk 12 Feb 2016.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
LGTrotter
Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
Posts: 3707
Joined: 17:45 Fri 19 Oct 2012
Location: Somerset, UK

Re: 1985 Fonseca

Post by LGTrotter »

This is a rather niggardly score for a Fonseca 85 which doesn't sound actually faulty. Still a bit grumpy from a busy week maybe? Perhaps the Fonseca 85 been downgraded while I wasn't looking. I wonder if this was one of the recent shipments from Portugal.
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Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14880
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: 1985 Fonseca

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

It wasn't a recent shipment, but was a port that had been bought on release and cellared in one location since shipping. However, I did keep wondering whether it was just a tiny bit corked as I kept picking up a harsh woodiness that I associate with either very slight TCA or just a style of tannin in some middle aged ports.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
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