90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
My experience with Smith-Woodhouse is limited. Is the 1985 the sleeper of the vintage? An astonishing amount of creamy, black-cherry and chocolate-scented fruit fills the nose. On the palate, this full-bodied wine is loaded with extract, great length, and has super finish with plenty of fruit and tannin in proper balance.
Wine Spectator
I have tasted this blind with all the other big-name '85s and it often holds its own. Medium deep ruby, with lovely violet aromas, full-bodied, with plenty of grip, full tannins and a powerful finish. (JS, Web-1989)
