1985 Martinez

[Alex Bridgeman]

Opened at 19.00 the night before the tasting, decanted at 10.30 and tasted at 18.50.

A mature red colour, but having lost quite a lot of pigment only around 50% opaque. At first, little shows on the nose other than spirit but patience allows some sweet redcurrant to develop. Nice texture on the palate, bringing delicious sweet red fruit and a bit of complexity. The finish is long and full of warming aniseed. A delightful Port. 88/100. Tasted at the TPF Awards on 07-Feb-23. Decanted 8½ hours.

[jdaw1]

I suggest we have The Port Forum awards ceremony!

And so we did, on Tuesday 7th February 2023, at the Boot & flogger, with live broadcast on the BBC, ITV, NBC, Fox, Disney, and YouTube.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1960 Burmester;
• 1970 Croft;
• 1970 Delaforce;
• 1963 Fonseca;
• 1960 Graham;
• 1985 Martinez;
• 1970 Noval;
• 1970 Rebello Valente;
• 1970 Smith Woodhouse;
• 1966 Warre;
• 1970 Warre;
• Placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

[jdaw1]

Mz85, opened 19:00 previous day; decanted 10:30. dark red, 60% opaque. Weird bitterness. But big red fruit. Alas imperfect.

[flash_uk]

45% opacity, rich red. Some caramels and cranberries. Sofy entry, gentle heat mid-late palate, full and chewy, a little short on the finish with some coffee bitterness.