Burmester Colheita 1985

17.0 / 20

Producer: Burmester

Region: Porto

Country: Portugal

Colheitas from Burmester are always a treat. More accessible than the bigger brands, I think these wines have a great price/quality ratio.

This one, from 1985, is light brown in the glass, nose showing off generous amounts of almond and hazelnuts, candied fruits, spices like cinnamon or cloves and exotic woods like camphor. Later on, some honey like aromas also join a really nice, engaging bouquet.

Full-bodied and still very much alive in the mouth with just the right amount of acidity to balance the sweeter, heavier side that brings to mind candied fruits and honey. Elegant and balanced, the finale is very persistent, surprisingly showing some faint cherry notes in the after taste.

By itself, slightly chilled as a dessert.

Tasted on 2011-08-04

Caves Dom Teodósio Garrafeira Particular 1985

15.0 / 20

Producer: Caves Dom Teodósio

Region: Palmela e Cartaxo

Country: Portugal

I'm not quite sure if this company is still active or if they have merged into Enoport - a big wine company here in Portugal. This bottle was found at Enoport's store in Bucelas - good white wines, by the way - and I decided to take the chance since I've had some unexpectedly nice experiences with older wines from Portugal.

From the label, this wine was made with grapes from two different regions in Portugal, Palmela e Cartaxo, and was cellared for three years after being bottled.

A distinct and expected brown tinge in the glass, the bouquet is really interesting as some subtle red fruit is still there in the background. More to the foreground, leather, dried leaves, smoke and some toast/coffee make up some of the diverse aromas this showed.

In the mouth, it shows some bitterness, bringing to mind orange skin. Very soft - as expected - and driven by oaky, dried leaves notes this is an elegant, silky wine that has a really nice ending and a good persistence.

For sure, not everyone's cup of tea but a very nice surprise and totally worthwhile.

Tasted on 2011-06-19

Château Lafon-Rochet 1985

16.0 / 20

Producer: Lafon-Rochet

Region: Saint Estéphe

Country: France

Another find at a wine auction late last year, this is a 25 year old 4-éme grand cru from Bordeaux.

Ruby colored with a brown tinge, it first smelled of dust and old cabinets. After opening for a while, the cabernet showed up with vegetable notes combined with sandal wood and old spices. Some fruit was still apparent in the slim, subdued nose.

In the mouth, a very soft, delicate wine as expected. Vegetable and fruit notes from the Cabernet still there, although the predominant flavors point towards oak, some leather, dried fruits. Average persistence with a spiced finale.

Not quite sure what to expect from this wine as it was a complete shot in the dark. Overall, it was a really nice, uncomplicated tasting and it was a great companion for lunch. I think the wine lacked some more structure and complexity in order to ascend to a different level, but I definitely need to taste more old Bordeaux in order to have an informed opinion.

Tasted on 2010-08-19

Graham's Vintage 1985

18.0 / 20

Producer: Graham's

Region: Porto

Country: Portugal

Deep red in color, it shows black fruit, cocoa, almonds and honey aromas. Full bodied in the mouth, it is a complex and intense vintage port. The fruit is very much still there, alongside with a great acidity, telling us this wine still has a lot to grow.

Some kind of dessert, obviously. Maybe a dry cake with spices and/or fruit.