1985 Quinta do Noval

[jdaw1]

As organised by Neil C., some regulars and at least one first-timer gathered at the Boot and Flogger to taste 1985s at Forty.

Links:

• Review thread;
• Tasting notes:
  • Fonseca 1985;
  • Taylor 1985;
  • Croft 1985;
  • Quinta do Noval 1985;
  • Sandeman 1985;
  • Graham 1985;
  • Dow 1985;
  • Warre 1985;
  • Martinez 1985;
  • Smith Woodhouse 1985;
  • Niepoort 1985;
  • Churchill 1985;
  • † = Fonseca 1985 number two;
• The placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

[nac]

From a 12-bottle OWC purchased from C&B Broking in April 2020.
Opened and decanted at 1700 on 26/7/25 and then back into the bottle at 2200. Then VacUVined.
Cork was difficult to remove; was in extremely tight.
Small QA sample was good.

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[nac]

Capsule and troublesome cork.

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N85cork.jpg (1.45 MiB) Viewed 3441 times

[jdaw1]

N85, orange red, 40% opaque. My note said only “No”. Others complained of thinness.

[flash_uk]

35% opacity, slightly cloudy, red with bricking rim. Nose has red fruit and candy. Sweetness on entry, a little coarse, strawberries give way to citrus fruit finish which is short and hollow. Meh.