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.
Our Wine Expert currently recommends the following wines for this year:
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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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48 products found.
Cantine Prandi, 1985
Cantine Prandi, Piedmont
Excellent provenance - Library Release
From the legendary 1985 vintage the Cantine Prandi Barolo have come from the Prandi cellars where they have laid undisturbed since bottling.
Cantine Prandi was established in the 1920s when grandfather Farinetti Majorino envisioned selling part of the wine produced for family use to the commercial market. In the 1960's his nephew Giovanni came to lend a hand and was instrumental in shaping the winery and its future development. Up to 2009, Giovanni's son Alessandro looked after the beautiful vineyards situated in the long hills surrounding Piemonte. In recent years, due to Alessandro's passing, the winery ceased production. …
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Price: $167.70 USD
Stock: 24 in Stock
Amarone della Valpolicella, 1985
Giacomo Montresor
This wine is made from grapes harvested in various vineyards located on hills in the Valpolicella zone (Mezzane and Tregnago hills). Different sources and different grape varieties are important to obtain well-balanced wines with the fine structure that only a few single areas in the Valpolicella zone can provide. Notes: Color: strong ruby red. Clear and transparent. Bouquet: notes of vanilla and ethereal airs depending on the period of aging in the barrel; notes of sweet fruits such as currants, blueberries, cherries depending on the varieties of grapes. Flavor: wine with a velvety, raisiny character combined with the structure and typical stylish bitterness to give it good balance. …
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Price: $167.70 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1985
Giordano
Barbaresco is one of the great wines of Italy's north-western Piedmont region. This aristocratic red has its vineyards situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area north-east of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso. The dominant variety grown is Nebbiolo, but Dolcetto and Barbera also play a part. The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils. similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo. Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world. …
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Price: $180.70 USD
Stock: 3 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1985
Cantona del Bricchetto - Rocca Mario
Barbaresco is one of the great wines of Italy's north-western Piedmont region. This aristocratic red has its vineyards situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area north-east of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Nieve and Treiso. The dominant variety grown is Nebbiolo, but Dolcetto and Barbera also play a part. The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils. similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo. Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world. …
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Price: $180.70 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barbaresco, 1985
Rocca Albino
Barbaresco is one of the great wines of Italy's north-western Piedmont region. This aristocratic red has its vineyards situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area north-east of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Nieve and Treiso. The dominant variety grown is Nebbiolo, but Dolcetto and Barbera also play a part. The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils. similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo. Similar to its more famous sibling Barolo, Barbaresco is made from 100% Nebbiolo and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world. …
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Price: $180.70 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barolo, 1985
Giordano, Piedmont
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
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Price: $154.70 USD
Stock: 14 in Stock
Barolo, 1985
Valfieri , Piedmont
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
Piedmont enjoyed an exceptional 1985 vintage
The year began with an extremely cold winter. Cool, crisp temperatures and snowfall prevailed throughout much of March and April. …
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Price: $128.70 USD
Stock: 4 in Stock
Barolo, 1985
Villadoria, Piedmont
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
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Price: $193.70 USD
Stock: 2 in Stock
Barolo, 1985
New
Terre del Barolo - Riserva
Barolo is known as the 'king of wines' and is made from the Nebbiolo grape. Heady aromas of rose, leather, vanilla, cherry, pepper, cranberry, strawberry. Fruits are perfectly knitted with the tannins and acidity. It's a powerful wine but remarkably subtle. Don't underestimate it and certainly serve it with food to show at it's best. Nebbiolo has naturally high tannins and acidity, so it will take on full-flavoured, rich foods no problem at all.
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Price: $193.70 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Barón de Ley, 1985
Grand Reserva, Rioja
The 1985 Baron de Ley Gran Reserva Rioja is a brilliant ruby-red colour with tinges of brick red. Rich, aromatic complexity. Toasted oak and coconut give way to aromas of red berries and dried raisins.
Barón de Ley was founded in 1985 by a small group of Rioja wine professionals who wanted to develop a purely “vineyard driven” winery, oriented to the production of high quality wines from their own vineyards.
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Price: $90.93 USD
Stock: 7 in Stock
Bramaterra, 1985
Sella
Produced mainly with Nebbiolo grapes cultivated on the slopes of Monte Rosa, west of Gattinara, of medium aging, 2 years minimum, it comes from a knowledgeable use of aging wood. Of ruby color, complex scents of mature fruit and spices, fresh and austere body. It's suited for a medium/long aging.
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Price: $102.70 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Cabernet Sauvignon (I), 1985
di Ancarano, Castello di Acarano Vigevani
A classic red Italian wine made from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. The wine has aged to produce a garnet core with a clear rim. Lots of oak, leather and soft tannins remain.
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Price: $76.70 USD
Stock: 5 in Stock
Calem Port, 1985
Vintage Port
Library Release
Presented in Original Gift Box
Cálem Vintage Port 1985, from this great Portuguese house, is an excellent bottle-aged Port from the great 1985 harvest. Only just released from the cellars, it's in immaculate condition for enjoying now.
1985 was an outstanding vintage for port and the Calem does not disappoint. The port shows a beautiful and intense garnet colour with ruby highlights. The nose denotes intense aromas of red berries, black cherry, prunes and cinnamon spice. On the palate this is drier style than most of the the English shippers. There is smooth mouthfeel, refreshing acidity and soft tannins. A little sour cherry and redcurrant makes this an interesting twist with layers of dried herbs and spices. …
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Price: $116.93 USD
Stock: 7 in Stock
Chateau Boyd-Cantenac, 1985
Margaux
Third Growth. Troisieme Grand Cru Classe in 1855.
Château Boyd-Cantenac is a wine producer situated in the Margaux appellation on the left bank of Bordeaux. The estate's Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant grand vin was awarded third growth status in the 1855 Classification of Médoc and Graves.
The history of the château dates back to 1754 when Jacques Boyd purchased the estate and gave his name to the vineyard. The Boyd family came to Bordeaux from Belfast in the 17th Century and were originally in the trade of commerce, international relations and emigration.
The estate was acquired by John Lewis Brown in 1806 and, after numerous changes in ownership, was later purchased by the current proprietors, the Guillemet family, in 1932. …
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Price: $128.70 USD
Stock: 4 in Stock
Chateau Gloria, 1985
St Julien Cru Borgeois
Excellent Provenance
Château Gloria, back in the days when Henri Martin was alive and still running the property, was always one of the most user-friendly wines out of the blocks and a very good value, though of course, not generally built for the long haul. I was happy to see how well the 1985 Gloria continues to drink, with its wide open personality still quite enjoyable and showing no signs of imminent decline. The wine offers up a pretty nose of red and black cherries, cigar ash, a nice touch of soil and a gentle topnote of crushed violets. On the palate the wine is fullish, plush and nicely balanced, with melted tannins, fine focus and a long, juicy and very pleasing finish. …
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Price: $167.70 USD
Stock: 3 in Stock
Chateau Les Templiers, 1985
Lalande de Pomerol
Bordeaux, in the south-west of France, needs little introduction to anyone with an interest in wine. One of the world's most prolific wine regions, it also manages to rank among the most famous and prestigious. The secrets of Bordeaux's wine success (other than magical Bordeaux Blend) are its three trump cards: diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines are the dry, medium-bodied reds that made the region famous.
About Chateau Les Templiers Château Les Templiers, situated in the renowned Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux, France, is a historic estate celebrated for its commitment to crafting exceptional wines that express the unique terroir of the region. …
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Price: $89.70 USD
Stock: 2 in Stock
Chateau Talbot, 1985
St Julien, 4me Cru Classe
The 1985 Chateau Talbot is from a great vintage. An amazing wine that had aged very well, complex flavors of underbrush, wet forest floor, plenty of fruit and velvety lush tannins.
Château Talbot, situated in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France, is renowned for its prestigious history and exceptional red wines. With origins tracing back to the 17th century, the estate's vineyards span approximately 107 hectares, primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. Benefiting from gravelly and sandy soils, Château Talbot crafts wines that epitomize the elegance and complexity of Saint-Julien terroir. …
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Price: $167.70 USD
Stock: 6 in Stock
Chateauneuf du Pape, 1985
Domaine de Beaurenard
Domaine de Beaurenard is a southern Rhône wine estate with a lengthy family history. It is primarily known for its red Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines which comprise all of the allowable 13 grape varieties but is predominantly made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
The domaine has been family-owned and operated for the last seven generations and is mentioned in records as far back as 1695, when it was known as 'Bois Renard'. This name is now given to Beaurenard's top wines – small-production Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines in both red and white expressions, made from parcels of the estate's oldest vines. …
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Price: $154.70 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Chianti, 1985
Colombaio - Conte Ottavio Piccolomini d'Aragona
Chianti, situated in Tuscany in central Italy, is home to probably the best-known and most iconic of all Italian wines. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
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Price: $115.70 USD
Stock: 2 in Stock
Cirò, 1985
Cantina Enotria
The Ciro has a pale ruby colour. Has an elegant bouquet in which they differ floral and fruity notes: rose, maraschino cherry, red fruit and hints of iodine on a rhubarb and sweet spices. The palate has a right to the body weight in balance and freshness, is intense and soft with a lingering fruity finish.
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Price: $76.70 USD
Stock: 3 in Stock
Dolcetto d'Alba, 1985
Villa Guelfa - Cantine Brero
A native black grape variety of Northern Italy grown almost exclusively in the provinces of Cuneo and Alessandria in Piedmont. It is relatively easy to cultivate, although it is susceptible to fungal diseases. It ripens before Barbera and Nebbiolo and is often grown in high north-facing sites which would be unsuitable for Nebbiolo. The finest Dolcetto wines come from grapes grown on soils rich with white marls, especially those found on the right bank of the River Tauro. The wines generally are low in tannins and acidity and are usually fruity and fragrant, often with hints of almonds.
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Price: $89.70 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Frei Joao, 1985
Frei Joao, Bairrada
Caves S. Joao, established in 1920, became a dominant force in Portuguese wine making in the early 20th century with their houses Porta dos Cavaleiros in Dao and Frei Joao in Bairrada. Given the shifting trends in consumer preferences, Bairrada and Dao fell to obscurity in the 1990s when critical influence drove the demand for bigger, extracted, warmer climate wines. As in all things, however, what comes around goes around! Sure enough, 20 years later savvy consumers and food-conscious sommeliers are looking for finesse and freshness and heading back to Bairrada and Dao. Wines that when young had a vegetal character, …
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Price: $89.70 USD
Stock: 120 in Stock
Lessona, 1985
Sella
Lessona is a red wine-specific DOC of the Piedmont wine region in north-western Italy. It is one of several Piedmontese wines to be based on the region's native Nebbiolo grape variety, the most famous of which are Barolo and Barbaresco
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Price: $115.70 USD
Stock: 2 in Stock
Merlot, 1985
Friulvini
An Italian red wine made by blending the international grape varieties merlot and cabernet. Very forward nose of leather and cherries, liquorice wild strawberries, ripe plums and pencil. The palate is very nice balance of sweet fruit and acidity.
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Price: $76.70 USD
Stock: 1 in Stock
Montepulciano, 1985
d'Abruzzo, Miglianico
Montepulciano is a red wine grape variety grown widely in central Italy, most notably its eastern Abruzzo, Marche and Molise regions. The variety was named after the Tuscan parish of Montepulciano, but, confusingly, is not used in the famous wines produced there (see Vino Nobile di Montepulciano). Globally appreciated for their soft flavors, strong color and gentle tannins, Montepulciano wines are typically best consumed in their youth and with food. The deep-purple juice of Montepulciano grapes is used in varying proportions to produce wines under roughly 50 of Italy's DOC and DOCG titles. Although sometimes used on its own, …
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Price: $89.70 USD
Stock: 8 in Stock