1985 Dow

[Alex Bridgeman]

A half bottle acquired at auction some years ago, from a batch which has shown quite a lot of VA in the past. This bottle has a little VA showing, but not too much to make it undrinkable. Rose red colour, 40% opaque. Some high toned alcohol in with the blackcurrant fruit gum nose. Rowntree's fruit gums on the initial palate, but the mid-palate starts to show the bitterness of the VA in the fruit, not overwhelming it but certainly tainting it. Alcoholic and a little hot on the aftertaste, this fades to allow a fruit gum and lime finish to settle in. Clearly not a bottle showing the way it ought to, this is, nevertheless, acceptable drinking. 84/100. Drunk 22-Feb-23. Decanted ½ hour.