Decanted 7pm Sunday. I’ve adopted the Wolfgang habit of loosening the cork by pushing it in a few millimetres, before using the corkscrew. Well, it went all the way, and was bagged out. Moving on, a very minuscule sample was the colour of F85, the palate being closed with sweet very black plums. So far, so good.
Deep red and opaque at the centre. Lively on the nose, with lots of complexity and intense rhubarb and green apples. Hesitant on entry with gentle development leading to a huge mouthful of fruit, charcoal, blueberries and sweet juniper. Fruit driven aftertaste with a big finish. This is very impressive port with a long future ahead of it. 94/100. 08-Feb-16. Decanted 25½ hours.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
F85 As always, this was a very fine port and a pleasure to enjoy again. Deep in colour and full of rich berry fruits. It had more balance and smoothness than the F77 to me and so shaded it on the night. Once again a port with a wonderful few years in front of it, to hopefully enjoy and taste many times.
91/92 Points