Four Bottles Of 1985 Chianti

Yesterday it was my turn to host our monthly tasting. I opened eight bottles in two flights. The second flight will get a post of its own.

1985 Chianti Classico, Badia a Coltebuono
A soft, mature nose with notes of earth, old leather, moist smoke and dried cherries. A fine dried up warmth.
The taste is dry and expressive with notes of autumn leaves, red currants, smoke and dried rosemary. Medium long with soft, fine tannins. Very, very good. 3 votes for best wine in this flight.
88p   (tasted 2019/10)

1985 Chianti Classico Berardenga, Felsina
In a fine state of maturity, the Felsina displays a deep, elegant nose with notes of almond paste, dried cherries, Chistmas spices and gravel. Very fine.
The taste is tight and nicely structured with notes of sweet/sour cherries, gravel, herbs and licorice. Long and fine. Mature, but bottles like this will hold for 6+ years.
90p   (tasted 2019/10)

1985 Chianti Classico Riserva, Castello di Verrazzano
A big, open and a bit murky nose with notes of dried up cherry jam, autumn leaves and meat stock. A bit over the hill.
The taste is better with a fine warmth and notes of licorice, dry chocolate and dried cherries. Long. 1 vote for best wine.
86p   (tasted 2019/10)

1985 Chianti Classico Riserva, Castello di Volpaia
A delicate, sandy nose with notes of ripe red cherries, Tuscan gravel, rosemary and fine tobacco. Bay leaves. Complex and fine. Mature but not overly so.
The taste is gravelly and herbal with notes of cranberries, violets, tobacco and earth. Long and refined. Very, very good. I paid 8 euros for this three years ago... 4 votes for best wine.
91p   (tasted 2019/10)