1985 Sercial
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 1985 Sercial from Cossart Gordon reveals aromas of dried citrus peel, dates, cloves and brown sugar, followed by a medium to full-bodied, racy palate that's quite firm and tight-knit, built around a bright spine of acidity, concluding with a slightly drying, gently woody finish. This improves substantially with aeration, but it isn't a legendary Madeira in the making.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Mid orange with green notes. Light as a daisy on the nose but extremely concentrated on the palate – almost painfully so. Very lifted and ranch and clearly fully mature. Fairly marked acidity and a smooth satin texture. Vert satisfying treacle note on the end and some suggestion of dried curry spice (stolen?). Very precise. It's so concentrated that I can't help wondering whether it should be served by medical dropper on the tongue rather than in a glass. (JR)