Fonseca 1985 Vintage Port

Deep inky ruby with a broad red rim just turning to brick at the edge.  Generous and seductive nose redolent of blackcurrant and cherry.  Dense, luscious black fruit laced with dark chocolate, liquorice and roasted coffee. 

Exotic herbal and resiny scents emerge an hour after decanting.  Later the fruit becomes more luscious and creamier, with rich raspberry jam flavours overlaying the dark fruity base. 

The full round palate is supported by thick well integrated tannins and delivers an abundance of luscious chocolate and blackcurrant flavour which lingers into the long velvety finish.  A wine poised between youth and maturity.

NOTES ON THE YEAR

The 1985 vintage was preceded by an exceptionally cold, wet winter, with night temperatures well below freezing in early January. Berryset was excellent and the young bunches perfectly formed.  The summer was hot throughout the region, with no rainfall during July and August.

Fonseca picked earlier than most other shippers and the harvest was brought in under ideal conditions before the rain which fell later in the month of September.  Conditions were ideal for fermentation resulting in must of exceptional colour and weight.