1985 Wine and Port Vintage
Vintage Summary and Recommendations: 
Welcome to Vintage Wine and Port's 1985 wine page. Read on for our summary of the 1985 vintage, our top recommendations and region reports. Scroll down to see all of our wines currently available. If you cannot find what you are looking for please call us on 01425 837177 or Contact Us. We would love to help you with your wine choice!
1985 is unanimously regarded as a wonderful vintage for much of the wine world, especially in Europe.
Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhône and Champagne all put out extraordinary vintages; some, like Champagne, are even regarded as a vintage of the decade. Safe to say, there should still be a wide range of 1985 French wine still drinking well today, particularly long-lived reds from the major growing regions. Italy was also exceptionally good. The Port vintage was universally declared and there will be many great Ports still drinking well today and quite likely for some time still to come. Any of these wines would make a fabulous 40 year old wine gift for an Anniversary or birthday.
Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:
This Year in History: Fun Fact: Walt Disney World received its 200-millionth guest.
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Bordeaux: The 1985 wine vintage produced examples that are characterised by being well developed, rich and having a seductive complexity with an attractive perfume. A drought for much of August and September led to concentrated grapes at harvest. The wines have now generally gone through the peak of their maturity and should be drunk within the next few years.
Italian: 1985 was an outstanding vintage for Italian wines, one of the best in the last 50 years for Piedmont and Tuscany. The vintage produced wines of great consistency, and the best wines should be great.
Portugal:
The 1985 is a great classic Port Vintage, with concentrated, rich and potent wines. The year was a general declaration of vintage, the majority of Houses judging it to be up to their high standards. 1985 was a model year for the growth of the vines: a wet winter followed by a moderate spring led into an extremely warm June and a hot July and August. The harvest took place under perfect weather conditions, and the fermentations went well also. From the very start shippers were predicting outstanding wines. The resulting ports are characterised as being forward with enormous structure, and staggering depth, dimension, and length. They are at the peak of their maturity and will remain so for another 10-15 years. Spain: 1985 was a near-perfect vintage for Spanish wines, with a warm summer and a perfect ripening season. The wines produced are generally easy-drinking wines of medium intensity. About 10% of wine went into Gran Reserva production.
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44 products found.
Dow's, 1985
Vintage Port
The 1985 Dow’s Vintage Port is a standout from a highly successful declared vintage, offering classic structure, depth, and longevity. Dow’s is known for its drier, firmer house style—built more for endurance than immediate opulence—and in 1985, this translated into a wine of superb ageing potential and quiet power. Now with nearly 40 years in bottle, the 1985 Dow is maturing beautifully, combining layered fruit with savoury complexity.
The nose is mature yet vigorous, opening with aromas of black plum, dried fig, and cassis, followed by notes of roasted coffee bean, cedar, tobacco leaf, and dark chocolate. …
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Price: £119.00
Stock: 12 in Stock
Dow's, 1985
Vintage Port
Half Bottles 37.5cl
The 1985 Dow’s Vintage Port, offered here in half-bottle format, is a structured and age-worthy expression from one of the most traditionally styled houses in the Douro. The 1985 vintage was widely declared and is considered one of the finest of the decade, producing Ports with firm tannins, deep fruit, and long-term potential. Dow, known for its dry, muscular style, produced a wine in 1985 that is both powerful and classically poised.
Now approaching 40 years of age, the wine has entered an ideal stage of maturity, especially in half-bottle where development is slightly accelerated. The nose is elegant and savoury, …
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Price: £69.95
Stock: 19 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1985
Vintage Port
The 1985 Fonseca is a benchmark vintage Port from one of the Douro’s most esteemed producers. Widely regarded as one of the top Ports of the excellent 1985 vintage, it showcases Fonseca’s trademark richness, flamboyant fruit, and long ageing potential. Now nearing 40 years of age, the wine is in a glorious stage of maturity, offering both power and finesse in equal measure.
On the nose, the wine is intensely aromatic, with layers of black cherry, fig, and plum compote, interwoven with dark chocolate, licorice, and exotic spice. Subtle notes of violets, cigar box, and walnut emerge with air, reflecting both its noble origin and extended bottle age. …
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Price: £129.00
Stock: 12 in Stock
Frei Joao, 1985
Frei Joao, Bairrada *** Presented in Wooden Gift Box ***
Mark a milestone with the 1985 Frei João Bairrada, an exceptional vintage that shares its birth year with someone born in 1985. This wine has matured gracefully over four decades, offering a rare and meaningful way to celebrate life's journey. Perfect for a special occasion, it embodies the elegance and character that only time can provide.
Tasting Notes:
This 1985 vintage reveals a beautifully evolved profile. Aromas of dried red fruits, leather, and subtle spice emerge from the glass, reflecting its long ageing. On the palate, it offers a refined balance of mature cherry and plum, with hints of tobacco, cedar, and earthy undertones. …
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 13 in Stock
Graham's Port, 1985
40 Year Old Tawny Port
New Edition
Graham's 40 Year Old Tawny. A truly remarkable wine cared for across generations. A great testament to the arts of blending, cooperage, and ageing. Aged for an average of 40 years in seasoned oak casks, our 40 Year Old Tawny is a testament to time and patience. Composed of wines put aside generations ago, this is an incredible wine with an amazingly long finish, indicating both its age and immense quality.
Graham's 40 Years Old Tawny is made from wines of the very highest quality which, following careful selection, are matured in seasoned oak casks of until their peak of maturity is reached. …
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Price: £219.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Janneau, 1985
Armagnac 1985 Vintage
Includes Own Gift Box
The 1985 Janneau Armagnac is a distinguished and refined spirit that showcases the elegance and depth that comes with extended aging. Its rich, multi-layered profile makes for an exceptional gift, particularly for someone who appreciates fine spirits or has a special connection to the year 1985, such as a birthday, anniversary, or other significant event.
Tasting Notes
The nose features a complex bouquet of dried fruits, spices, vanilla, caramel, honey, oak, and smokiness. The palate is smooth and velvety, with primary flavors of dried apricots, raisins, and candied orange peel. …
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Price: £215.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Quinta do Noval, 1985
Vintage Port
A classic vintage from one of Portugal’s most revered estates, the 1985 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port is rare and meaningful present for anyone born in or celebrating the year 1985. Crafted by a house renowned for its exceptional single quinta ports, this bottle delivers both pedigree and pleasure.
Tasting Notes:
Now at peak maturity, this port shows a rich garnet hue with an elegant nose of dried figs, plum compote, cedarwood, and subtle spices. The palate is beautifully evolved, with a velvety texture, dark chocolate and cherry liqueur flavours, and a long, warming finish. A true example of how well vintage port can age when made with skill and care. …
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Price: £99.00
Stock: 6 in Stock
Rioja, 1985
Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva
The 1985 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva is a notable example of traditional Rioja winemaking, reflecting the classic style that has defined the region for decades. Produced predominantly from Tempranillo grapes sourced from the Rioja Alavesa sub-region, this wine benefits from the area's high-altitude vineyards and limestone-rich soils, which contribute to its elegance and aging potential.
Upon tasting, the 1985 vintage presents a mature pale ruby hue. The nose is sweet and notably volatile, suggesting the presence of evolved tertiary aromas. On the palate, it is light and fresh, offering sweet fruit flavors balanced by some acidity. …
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Price: £59.95
Stock: 4 in Stock
Schiava, 1985
Anton Lindner
This wine from the good 1985 vintage has a medium dark red violet colour. A slightly funky, beef nose with a tart red fruit. On the palate the wine is acidic with vegetal notes. Medium-short finish
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Solopaca Rosso, 1985
Cantina Sco Solopaca
This wine from the good 1985 vintage has a medium dark red violet colour. A slightly funky, beef nose with a tart red fruit. On the palate the wine is acidic with vegetal notes. Medium-short finish
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Taylor Fladgate, 1985
Vintage Port
The 1985 Taylor’s Vintage Port is a superb expression of the house’s hallmark style—firm, structured, and capable of great longevity. While not quite as monumental as their legendary 1970 or 1994, the 1985 is a standout from this classic declared vintage, showing the balance and precision that Taylor’s is known for. Now approaching 40 years of age, it has entered a glorious period of maturity, offering power, poise, and aromatic complexity in equal measure.
The nose is deep and captivating, with concentrated aromas of blackberry compote, cassis, and dark plum, layered with violet, spice, and graphite. …
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Price: £129.00
Stock: 5 in Stock
Valtellina, 1985
Fratelli Bettini
Valtellina is one of Italy’s most dramatic wine regions, located in Lombardy, the vineyards are located on steep mountains. The principal grape variety is Chiavennasca (the local name for Piedmont’s Nebbiolo and an Italian grape varietal that has been cultivated since medieval times here). The DOCG wines are generally comprised of at least 90% Chiavennasca and then blended with other quality local grapes like Brugnola, Rossola, Pignola. Then there is a DOC Valtellina Rosso (also called Rosso di Valtellina DOC) which requires at least 80% of the blend be Chiavennasca and does not have minimum ageing requirements. …
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Price: £69.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Chateau La Gurgue, 1985
Margaux
Château La Gurgue, a notable estate in Bordeaux's Margaux appellation, has a history of producing wines that reflect the region's elegance and complexity. The 1985 vintage, characterized by favorable weather conditions, yielded wines with ripe fruit flavors and balanced structures.
Tasting Notes
A tasting note from 2010 for the 1985 Château La Gurgue describes the wine as having a gorgeous dark ruby color with great legs. The nose shows blackcurrants and oak, with a somewhat woody character. On the palate, the wine is full, fruity, flavorful, and soft, with a round mouthfeel.
Serving Suggestions
When serving a mature wine like the 1985 Château La Gurgue, …
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Price: £79.95
Stock: Out of Stock
Chateau La Gurgue, 1985
Margaux
Château La Gurgue, a notable estate in Bordeaux's Margaux appellation, has a history of producing wines that reflect the region's elegance and complexity. The 1985 vintage, characterized by favorable weather conditions, yielded wines with ripe fruit flavors and balanced structures.
Tasting Notes
A tasting note from 2010 for the 1985 Château La Gurgue describes the wine as having a gorgeous dark ruby color with great legs. The nose shows blackcurrants and oak, with a somewhat woody character. On the palate, the wine is full, fruity, flavorful, and soft, with a round mouthfeel.
Serving Suggestions
When serving a mature wine like the 1985 Château La Gurgue, …
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Price: £69.00
Stock: Out of Stock
Chateau Lynch Moussas, 1985
Pauillac 5th Growth Classification
Château Lynch-Moussas, a fifth-growth estate in Bordeaux's Pauillac appellation, has a storied history dating back to the 18th century. The 1985 vintage, known for its favorable growing conditions, produced wines with ripe fruit flavors and balanced structures.
Tasting notes from well-preserved bottles of the 1985 Château Lynch-Moussas reveal a wine that has developed complex tertiary characteristics over the decades. On the nose, there are subtle hints of funk, followed by notes of pepper, miso, leather, mushrooms, tobacco smoke, and hay. Unfortunately, the fruit presence is minimal, indicating that the wine may have surpassed its optimal drinking window. …
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Price: £89.00
Stock: Out of Stock
Ferreira, 1985
Ferreira Vintage Port
This Port is now beginning to reach its full maturity and is ready for drinking. As it ages further, it will begin to develop gently into a more tawny style Port. This Port should probably be drunk over the next few years although it is still showing remarkable balance and finesse.
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Price: £119.00
Stock: Out of Stock
Sandeman
40 Year Old Tawny Port
***95 Points- GOLD Winner- IWC 2024***
***95 Points- Gold - Decanter 2024***
Comes in Original Gift Tube
The Sandeman 40 Year Old Tawny Port is a luxurious and complex aged tawny port, known for its exceptional depth and sophistication. This port is the result of meticulous blending and extended aging in oak casks, which imparts rich flavours and a smooth, refined character.
Tasting Notes
Deep amber with golden and greenish highlights, indicating a long aging process. Its aroma is intricate, with notes of dried fruits, toasted nuts, caramel, honey, spice, vanilla, and oak. The palate is remarkably smooth, rich, and full-bodied, with a harmonious blend of dried fruits, toffee, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and citrus. …
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Price: £149.00
Stock: Out of Stock
Taittinger, 1985
Taittinger collection, Roy Lichtenstein edition
*** 93 Points - Parker ***
Roy Lichtenstein (1923–1997) is a beloved New York artist best known for his vibrant Pop Art paintings and prints. These were inspired by comics and advertising, and often reproduce the familiar plot frames, dialogue bubbles and dot printing of comic books. The work most often parodies social norms. His iconic imagery is featured on the 1985 Collection Series bottle.
The Taittinger Collection Series bottles are released only in great vintages, from a selection of the year's finest cuvées. The wines are made from Chardonnay mainly from the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs, and Pinot Noir from Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne vineyards. …
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Price: £385.00
Stock: Out of Stock
Warre's Vintage Port, 1985
Vintage Port
The Warre's 1985 Vintage Port is a distinguished offering from one of Portugal's oldest Port houses, renowned for producing wines of elegance and finesse. The 1985 vintage, declared by many producers, is celebrated for yielding Ports with rich fruit profiles and excellent aging potential.
In the glass, Warre's 1985 Vintage Port presents a deep ruby hue, indicative of its maturity. The nose is aromatic, offering complex aromas of ripe red and dark fruits with floral undertones. On the palate, it delivers flavors of black cherry and plums, complemented by silky tannins and a long, lingering finish. …
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Price: £119.00
Stock: Out of Stock