1985 Churchill

Tasting notes for individual Ports, with an index sorted by vintage and alphabetically.
Forum rules
Tasting notes for individual Ports, with an index sorted by vintage and alphabetically.
Post Reply
User avatar
jdaw1
Cockburn 1851
Posts: 23613
Joined: 15:03 Thu 21 Jun 2007
Location: London
Contact:

1985 Churchill

Post by jdaw1 »

With SushiNorth in London a few of us braved the tube strike to meet in the Bung Hole, the chosen theme being ‘Crazy 8s’.

Links:
User avatar
John M
Fonseca LBV
Posts: 140
Joined: 18:45 Sat 31 Mar 2012
Location: USA

Re: Crazy 8's: London, April 30th 2014

Post by John M »

Following four posts moved here from planning thread, by jdaw1.

Curious to know how the 1985 Churchill's shows. Just had it in a small line up of 1985's, including a Grahams, and it was the WOTN---shocked all of us.
User avatar
jdaw1
Cockburn 1851
Posts: 23613
Joined: 15:03 Thu 21 Jun 2007
Location: London
Contact:

Re: Crazy 8's: London, April 30th 2014

Post by jdaw1 »

Second for us, behind DB78!
PhilW
Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
Posts: 3503
Joined: 14:22 Wed 15 Dec 2010
Location: Near Cambridge, UK

Re: Crazy 8's: London, April 30th 2014

Post by PhilW »

John M wrote:Curious to know how the 1985 Churchill's shows. Just had it in a small line up of 1985's, including a Grahams, and it was the WOTN---shocked all of us.
I have a soft spot for Ch85 - When I first joined :tpf: I was at that time looking for a new port from the 80s to be my new house port, and after attending a couple of tastings in London had determined two candidates, Cá85 and Ch85. Since the former had little availability, I shared purchase of a case of Ch85 with RAYC and every single bottle of my half of that case has showed very well, been delicious, and in the process has converted a couple of my friends locally into port drinkers. Since then I've had a lot of the other 85s, and while some can be more impressive at times (notably F85), I have to say that while a little softer in style I am definitely a big fan of the Ch85.
User avatar
flash_uk
Graham’s 1977
Posts: 4081
Joined: 20:02 Thu 13 Feb 2014
Location: London

Re: Crazy 8's: London, April 30th 2014

Post by flash_uk »

Phil - do you have a preferred source for Ch85 with best prices or do you pick up at auction?
User avatar
jdaw1
Cockburn 1851
Posts: 23613
Joined: 15:03 Thu 21 Jun 2007
Location: London
Contact:

Re: 1985 Churchill

Post by jdaw1 »

Above four posts moved here from planning thread, by jdaw1.

Ch85, decanted 18:00. Dark red, 60% opaque; lovely colour. Nose somewhat closed, but showing structure and red fruit. Plate full of things. Heat showing, mixed with black-pepper spice. Lots of acidity and tannin and fruit. Great structure. Very obviously a Ch85 from the good batch. Would be even better after another half decade in the cellar.
PhilW
Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
Posts: 3503
Joined: 14:22 Wed 15 Dec 2010
Location: Near Cambridge, UK

Re: Crazy 8's: London, April 30th 2014

Post by PhilW »

flash_uk wrote:Phil - do you have a preferred source for Ch85 with best prices or do you pick up at auction?
That case was bought in-bond at retail, at a good price.
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14879
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: 1985 Churchill

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

I bought most of mine from the BBX site at Berry's for around £25-35 per bottle.

You sometimes see it go for the lower end of that price range at auction where few people want to buy it.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
Post Reply