Taylor Fladgate 1985 Vintage Port 750ml

The winter before the 1985 growing season was cold and wet, a harbinger of what was to come. After an early April bud burst, flowering took place in calm conditions at the end of May. A hot summer led right to a large harvest that began on 26th of September. By the end of the crush, most agreed it was an exceptional year. Today the ’85 Taylor is ready to drink. Tasted alongside the more opulent Fonseca, the reserved, dry, elegant styling of Taylor ports are without compare. As per usual, the flavours are multi-dimensional, reflecting the wine's multiple layers and persistence in the mouth. At this point youthful fruit has slipped away, leaving more spicy, figgy, licorice notes, worn edges and mellow nutty notes in the back end. In a perfect space.

Score: 95 points -- Anthony Gismondi, gismondionwine.com, 2018