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Uutiset
97 pts Stephen Tanzer - Fine deep colour with brick red edge. Good depth of nose, sweet and harmonious, some spirit on the nose, rich, soft touches of dark chocolate and cherry (cherry tomato). Harmonious, elegant wine, some fine structure with exciting hints of spice and mint, very focused fruit, soft. A delightful Vintage Port now with good tannins to take it to old age. Appears softer than usual. Closing nose. Big fruit, blackcurrant and blackberry, real intense jams with cocoa notes and firm yet silky tannins. Powerful Vintage Port. Fine ripe fruit, good expression, cherry, a charming character.
Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
Fonseca has belonged to the first rank of Vintage Port producers since the mid-nineteenth century. Fonseca Vintage Ports are noted for their luscious fruitiness which develops great opulence and complexity with age. Wines born of inspired winemaking and a thorough understanding of viticulture and terroir, they appeal, perhaps more than any other house's Vintage Ports, to the enthusiast and connoisseur.
Vintage Ports represent the finest produce of a single exceptional year. Unlike Ports which age in wood, Vintage Ports will continue to age and improve in bottle for decades, their character bearing the imprint of both vineyard and wine maker.
A constant thread that runs through the history of Fonseca is the family's close involvement with the making of the firm's Vintage Ports. Throughout the 20th century, the making of Fonseca Vintage Ports was overseen by only four family members, Frank, Dorothy, Bruce and David Guimaraens and this has helped to make Fonseca one of the most stylistically consistent of Vintage Port producers.
The firm's Vintage Ports are drawn from its own quintas or estates: Cruzeiro and Santo António in the Pinhão Valley, which have contributed to the firm's Vintage Port blend for 100 years, as well the Távora Valley property of Panascal. Fonseca is unique among Port houses in making three different types of Vintage Port.
Fonseca Vintage Ports are released only when a year produces outstanding wines with long term ageing potential. These classic Vintage Ports are a blend of wines from Cruzeiro, Santo António and Panascal. Cruzeiro contributes concentrated black fruit flavours and firm tannic 'grip'. Panascal adds an opulent luscious fruitiness and a dense velvety texture. Finally, Santo António brings complexity and vibrancy with its fine scented character and fresh acidity.
Although they can be enjoyed when young, Fonseca Vintage Ports will continue to improve in bottle for many decades. They have the stamina and aromatic potential to last for over a hundred years. Attracting the highest scores and auction prices, they are favoured not only by fine wine enthusiasts but also by collectors and investors.
Wine Information
The Winter preceding the 2003 harvest was very wet. Flowering took place in bright warm weather at the end of May in some of the best conditions seen for several years.
The first two weeks of August provided the intense Summer heat which often precedes a great port vintage. The second half of August was cooler and two days of rain occurred with perfect timing, ripening off the grapes at the end of the month.
The picking season in September was warm and dry and the yields were even across all grape varieties, ensuring balance and complexity in the wines.
Tasting Note
Fine deep colour with brick red edge. Good depth of nose, sweet and harmonious, some spirit on the nose, rich, soft touches of dark chocolate and cherry (cherry tomato). Harmonious, elegant wine, some fine structure with exciting hints of spice and mint, very focused fruit, soft. A delightful Vintage Port now with good tannins to take it to old age. Appears softer than usual. Closing nose. Big fruit, blackcurrant and blackberry, real intense jams with cocoa notes and firm yet silky tannins.
Powerful Vintage Port. Fine ripe fruit, good expression, cherry, a charming character.
