Who knew? The 1985 Carbonnieux is an absolutely superb example of the vintage and has to be one of the great, great sleepers out there in the world of mature claret. The outstanding nose jumps from the glass in a complex mélange of black cherries, red plums, nutskin, gravelly soil tones, a touch of cocoa and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is fullish, complex and beautifully balanced, with a fine core, superb intensity of flavor, melting tannins and superb length and grip on the velvety and very classy finish. This is another of the low octane 1985s, tipping the scales at twelve percent, but it is an utterly complete and very satisfying glass of claret today, and still with plenty of life in it. Great juice! (Drink between 2014-2030)