1985 Fonseca
Posted: 09:06 Mon 26 Aug 2019
Summary:
Desert island port wonderfully balanced between youth and maturity. Many points today and more in the future. Impossible to be overstocked.
Longer version:
Decanted Friday evening and followed over three days. Cork was clean and soaked about halfway up, no seepage or dust/mildew at the top and it came out intact except for the lower fifth. Longer corkscrew is needed.
Dark ruby with some bricking at the rim. Astoundingly dark for a 34 year old port. Wonderful aromas of dark cherries, blackcurrant and perhaps chocolate. Instantly agreeable, palate is full and robust yet sophisticated and perfectly balanced. After a day in the fridge in the unstoppered bottle, it has filled out even more with a wonderfully silky mouthfeel. Tannins are perfectly integrated and combined with the acidity provide a perfect counterpoint to the dense fruit and sweetness. A full-on, and most pleasant assault of one's senses. A bottled version of Smokestack Lightning by Howlin' Wolf.
Easily 93 points today and another handful within reach if the current trajectory is maintained. Many decades of life left.
Desert island port wonderfully balanced between youth and maturity. Many points today and more in the future. Impossible to be overstocked.
Longer version:
Decanted Friday evening and followed over three days. Cork was clean and soaked about halfway up, no seepage or dust/mildew at the top and it came out intact except for the lower fifth. Longer corkscrew is needed.
Dark ruby with some bricking at the rim. Astoundingly dark for a 34 year old port. Wonderful aromas of dark cherries, blackcurrant and perhaps chocolate. Instantly agreeable, palate is full and robust yet sophisticated and perfectly balanced. After a day in the fridge in the unstoppered bottle, it has filled out even more with a wonderfully silky mouthfeel. Tannins are perfectly integrated and combined with the acidity provide a perfect counterpoint to the dense fruit and sweetness. A full-on, and most pleasant assault of one's senses. A bottled version of Smokestack Lightning by Howlin' Wolf.
Easily 93 points today and another handful within reach if the current trajectory is maintained. Many decades of life left.
