1985 Warre's Vintage Porto

This has a maturing hue, bricking red, with a moderate density of colour. The nose has elegance, with firm violet perfume, black pepper and strawberry lea. Delicious substance on entry, firm but full and sweet, with rich, rounded character. There are plenty of tannins and acidity behind it, but overall it has a perfumed, feminine character altough it is I suppose a little spirity at first. Later, with some exposure to the air, this seems less of a problem; it has delicious, juicy, perfumed violet fruit, fine definition, freshness and acidity. Good depth, integration and balance too. Still a good substance here, although in a very feminine style. Ready now.

5 stars from Broadbent! 91 points Wine Spectator: "There is plenty of grip and backbone here. Deep purple, with concentrated grape and violet aromas, full-bodied, with huge grapy flavors, excellent backbone and a long finish."  90 points Robert Parker: "This house makes rather restrained yet rich, flavorful vintage port and a very good tawny called Nimrod. Their vintage ports seem slow to develop, and while they never quite have the voluptuous richness of a Dow, Graham, or Fonseca, they have a unique mineral-scented character that gives them their own complexity and style. The 1985 is the sweetest and richest of the recent Warre vintages. Extremely concentrated, rich, even luscious, this full-bodied, intense, opulent wine has layers of fruit, a full-blown bouquet, and impeccable balance. The soft tannins and precocious appeal of the 1985 suggest rapid maturation." A bargain in today's marketplace!