1985 Warre

[LGTrotter]

I am a little surprised that this seems to be the first note I have written on this wine. Looking back at my notebooks I have only 4 notes, although I could have sworn I have had it many more times than this.

Anyway, to the wine. On the first night it was rather as I think of it, soft and sweet. A bit of a lull in the middle of the palate and something like strawberry jam on the finish. A respectable port but lacking somehow.

On the second night it was more recognisably Warre, and I think much better. A peppery bite to it and a nice acidity to offset the sweetness. It looked darker and the tannins seemed more pronounced. There was a waft of plums to the finish which was most pleasant. All this leads me to believe two things. Firstly if you are going to drink it now give it a good decant time, eight hours would be my guess. Secondly it may be worth keeping for a few more years. 88 points the first night and 91 on the second.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I do have a soft spot for this port. Years ago — in the '90s — I was working in Victoria, just round the corner from an Andre Simon shop. At some point while I was working there the Lloyds of London collapse occurred and a number of wealthy people had to liquidate their assets fairly quickly to answer the insurance cash calls. One Name had clearly bought quite a lot of Warre 1985 in half bottles. These appeared in the Andre Simon shop @ £1.89 per half bottle.

I bought quite a few. I enjoyed nearly all of them. I have one left. It is a delicious port and my experience echoes yours — it's better the second night than on the first.

[DRT]

I am rather jealous that you had the opportunity to visit an André Simon shop.

I have almost all of his 104 books