1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
Nickolls & Perks are running a great virtual event - hosted by Anthony Symington over zoom!
Details are as follows -
We’ll be exploring the legendary 1985 vintage - a benchmark year for Port, defined by a warm summer and large yields, it was declared by all major Houses. Expect rich, expressive wines with exceptional maturity.
From the comfort of your home, you’ll have the rare opportunity to taste, compare, and contrast Ports from multiple Houses in a guided, interactive session. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious enthusiast, this is a unique chance to deepen your appreciation for this remarkable vintage.
Line up
Smith Woodhouse 1985
Warre's 1985
Cockburn's 1985
Graham's 1985
Dow's 1985
How it works?
Ahead of the event, you will receive your Port samples in the post, alongside a tasting card and food pairing suggestions.
You will then be sent a zoom link via email, so you are ready to log on at the start time. We suggest you get all your samples ready beforehand.
Anthony Symington will join us live on zoom, and guide you through each vintage. There will be opportunity for questions and discussion throughout.
The session will also be recorded, so if you cannot join us live, you can listen in anytime.
*samples can only be delivered to UK addresses*
Visit Nickolls & Perks website to book / see below for link
Details are as follows -
We’ll be exploring the legendary 1985 vintage - a benchmark year for Port, defined by a warm summer and large yields, it was declared by all major Houses. Expect rich, expressive wines with exceptional maturity.
From the comfort of your home, you’ll have the rare opportunity to taste, compare, and contrast Ports from multiple Houses in a guided, interactive session. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious enthusiast, this is a unique chance to deepen your appreciation for this remarkable vintage.
Line up
Smith Woodhouse 1985
Warre's 1985
Cockburn's 1985
Graham's 1985
Dow's 1985
How it works?
Ahead of the event, you will receive your Port samples in the post, alongside a tasting card and food pairing suggestions.
You will then be sent a zoom link via email, so you are ready to log on at the start time. We suggest you get all your samples ready beforehand.
Anthony Symington will join us live on zoom, and guide you through each vintage. There will be opportunity for questions and discussion throughout.
The session will also be recorded, so if you cannot join us live, you can listen in anytime.
*samples can only be delivered to UK addresses*
Visit Nickolls & Perks website to book / see below for link
Last edited by lport224 on 14:43 Thu 18 Sep 2025, edited 3 times in total.
- Alex Bridgeman
- Fonseca 1966
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Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
Hi Isobel and thanks for posting, very interesting to hear about the event.
For anyone interested, the link to the tickets is here.
The tasting is on 26th November at 19.00. Tickets cost £55.
For anyone interested, the link to the tickets is here.
The tasting is on 26th November at 19.00. Tickets cost £55.
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
That is very tempting!
- Alex Bridgeman
- Fonseca 1966
- Posts: 15922
- Joined: 12:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
I know! But it’s already a very busy time of year in my diary…
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
That's the only reason I haven't already purchased a ticket...Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑14:33 Thu 18 Sep 2025I know! But it’s already a very busy time of year in my diary…
Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
I haz a sad.

I could probably even make a Zoom call on Nov 26 at 7:00 pm GMT. I'd have my usual mid-day conflicts, but those tend to work out okay when we do Port Forum Virtual Tastings.
Glenn Elliott
- nac
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Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
Have added this to the planner.
- nac
- Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
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- Joined: 13:21 Fri 16 Dec 2016
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- Contact:
Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
Appear to be free that evening so have signed up.
- Alex Bridgeman
- Fonseca 1966
- Posts: 15922
- Joined: 12:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
You might not be able to get samples sent to you, but you could always ask nicely if you might be allowed to join the Zoom call anyway.
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
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- Warre’s Traditional LBV
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Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
Don't the Symington's have an import arm in the U.S.? I would have thought they could distribute something through that, but maybe it's too tricky selling directly to a consumer in the U.S. What a shame.Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑09:59 Fri 19 Sep 2025You might not be able to get samples sent to you, but you could always ask nicely if you might be allowed to join the Zoom call anyway.
Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
They do, but this is being put on by Nickolls & Perks and not by they Symingtons. And as you said, it's tricky in the US. As I recall, Vintage & Fine Wines cannot ship to WA and only has a list of about 6-8 states that they can ship to.Mike J. W. wrote: ↑16:31 Sat 20 Sep 2025Don't the Symington's have an import arm in the U.S.? I would have thought they could distribute something through that, but maybe it's too tricky selling directly to a consumer in the U.S. What a shame.Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑09:59 Fri 19 Sep 2025You might not be able to get samples sent to you, but you could always ask nicely if you might be allowed to join the Zoom call anyway.
I am in contact with Nickolls & Perks to see if there is some way we can make this work - they're looking into possible logistics on their end. I have 3 of the Ports in my own cellar, and I suspect that someone around here (read: Seattle) would have a 4th. The only one I'm not sure about in our local group is the Cockburn, but we could substitute Gould Campbell for that if we were to open our own bottles.
I'm also hoping that if there isn't a way we can get the Port for the tasting, that they'll be amenable to the idea of me joining the Zoom call anyway.
Glenn Elliott
-
- Warre’s Traditional LBV
- Posts: 322
- Joined: 16:41 Sun 31 Jan 2021
- Location: In the middle of cornfields & cow pastures, PA
Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
I have all of those Ports except maybe for the Cockburn, but I wouldn't open all of those bottles, lol. I'll keep an eye on this thread for updates. Thanks Glenn.Glenn E. wrote: ↑16:44 Mon 22 Sep 2025They do, but this is being put on by Nickolls & Perks and not by they Symingtons. And as you said, it's tricky in the US. As I recall, Vintage & Fine Wines cannot ship to WA and only has a list of about 6-8 states that they can ship to.Mike J. W. wrote: ↑16:31 Sat 20 Sep 2025Don't the Symington's have an import arm in the U.S.? I would have thought they could distribute something through that, but maybe it's too tricky selling directly to a consumer in the U.S. What a shame.Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑09:59 Fri 19 Sep 2025You might not be able to get samples sent to you, but you could always ask nicely if you might be allowed to join the Zoom call anyway.
I am in contact with Nickolls & Perks to see if there is some way we can make this work - they're looking into possible logistics on their end. I have 3 of the Ports in my own cellar, and I suspect that someone around here (read: Seattle) would have a 4th. The only one I'm not sure about in our local group is the Cockburn, but we could substitute Gould Campbell for that if we were to open our own bottles.
I'm also hoping that if there isn't a way we can get the Port for the tasting, that they'll be amenable to the idea of me joining the Zoom call anyway.
Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
I’m in: ticket bought.