1985 Fonseca

[Alex Bridgeman]

SW94 and F85 were the only two full vintage ports on the wine list of the Traveller's Club (there also being Malvedos 1998 and Fonseca Bicentenary Crusted) but there was only one bottle of each. Sadly, this bottle was mildly corked so was returned much to the dismay of the Sommelier who did not say we were wrong but whose body language clearly indicated that was his opinion as he frantically swirled the glass that had been standing for a few minutes to concentrate the TCA smell. Although there was no more F85 in the Clubhouse cellar, good fortune was with us and the Sommelier returned with a bottle of 1985 Dow which had been decanted that morning for sale by the glass at the bar, but we were early enough that no-one had taken advantage so early in the evening. F85 was listed at £78. NR. Drunk 23-Jan-17. Decanted 1 hour.