Farr Vintners Logo

Taylor, Taylor Fladgate 1985

Tasting Notes

This house must certainly be the Latour of Portugal. Their ports are remarkably backward yet still impressive when young. Of all the vintage ports, those of Taylor need the longest time to mature and even when fully mature seem to have an inner strength and firmness that keep them going for decades. Their tawnys are also among the very best, though somewhat expensive. Two bottles of the 1985 were tasted and each was different. One was compact and dull, the other beefy, rich, full-bodied, and loaded. While the better bottle clearly was outstanding, it was not as sublime or as sensational as one expects Taylor to be, and not as rich or as profound as the 1983, 1977 or 1970. Perhaps this particular port, usually one of my favorites, is going through an awkward stage. Judgment reserved.

Robert Parker, Wine Buyers Guide (2), January 1989

Extremely understated and closed, it starts out slowly but finishes quicly. Deep ruby-purple, with berry and cherry aromas and flavors, full-bodied, very tannic and hard. Great future. Drink 1997-2000.

90
James Suckling, Wine Spectator

Mid ruby. Becoming a little pale. Rose petals and brown sugar on the nose with some violets. Very subtle. Not that enormously sweet but very smooth and seductive with a dry, peppery finish. Long.

18
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, December 2013
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.