Let’s say I was married in 1985 and wanted to start collecting some treasures for future anniversary celebrations (OK it’s true). Keep in mind that I am an educator. I am willing to save bucks for special bottles but have to stay in touch with reality.
Would anyone like to start giving some recommendations?
If the longevity in both our families is passed on to us, I’ll need recommendations for soon as well as not soon.
(I figure this will also be a good thread for '85 birth year folks as well as general backfillers).
Happy Monday to all.
We did a California versus Bordeaux 1985 last year. From memory:
Clear winner was Cheval Blanc.
Extremely good: Ridge Monte Bello, LMHB, Lynch Bages (good bottle: see recent thread) Phelps Eisele
Solid: Trotanoy, Groth Reserve, Stag’s Leap Cask 23
Bad bottle Haut Brion
Simple: BR Cohn
With a caveat that I have limited experience tasting any 85s with more than 6 or 7 years of age on them, I offer the following:
I had a 1985 Warre’s Vintage Port in December 2014 that I thought was spectacular.
I opened it and shared it with some folks for whom it was a birth year wine, which made it extra special.
I would expect it to be as good over the next five years.
One of my first wines was a Sandeman 375ml Porto. Good stuff. I think Champagne would be nice, IMHO…
Mark’s right on with Cheval, my next choices would include Lynch in mag ( bottles are a little more tired)
La mission,L’Evangile,Margaux ( pricier ) along with all the La La’s ( much pricier ) and then some of the red Burgs.
If you are looking for a Champagne, my choice would be '85 DP. I have had very good luck with '85 Ridge MB, but tough to find at the moment.
Have always found the Diamond Creeks a good wine after many years. Had an 84 for the 4th and it was wonderful. Find them at auction quite often for a good price.
Burgundy. But that will be expensive. But honestly, any wine from a well-known region with the ability to last 30 years will be expensive for a well-stored bottle.
Following up on the Port suggestion, and one that isn’t all that expensive: Fonseca. Fantastic bottle, good ones should last several decades.
I’ve also had this within the past year and it’s really nice right now but agree that it should stay that way for a while if not still get better.
First thing that came to my mind!
If you could find any, Charles Heidsieck made a Reserve Blanc de Blanc that I think they only released in Magnums that, back in those pre grower days, was one of the best bubblies I ever tasted.
I have had quite a few very good '85s from Bordeaux within the past few years. Some you may be able to find without breaking the bank:
Figeac
Canon
Cos d’Estournel
Lynch Bages (also mentioned above)
both Pichons
Rausan-Segla
Band on the Run
That’s the A side ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
(I still have the 45)
85 DP would be an excellent choice for a celebratory bottle now, but do your due diligence re: provenance/storage.
Bruce
That’s birth year for me. Had a great La Mission Haut Brion a couple of years and just this year had some some white burgundies that were still drinking young and have encouraged me to grab a few more to drink in the next few years.
pretty much
Fonseca or Graham’s Vintage Port should cost around $100 and have a broad drinking window remaining.
Thanks,
Ed
You don’t need me to tell you about Bordeaux. I’m surprised no one has mentioned the Cos d’Estournel. I doubt it would be cheap. There were successes in both the Northern and Southern Rhone. This past spring, because of the kindness of Robert Calahan, I had an 85 Rayas that was stunning. And it was certainly not about to fall over an die. I haven’t had the 85 Beaucastel or Jamet in years, but I’d bet on their longevity. There should be people here who can tell you about Italians and Loires too.