The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.
News
This dark, opaque wine shows fresh, rich blackberry and cassis aromas. It is velvety on the palate, with a well knit structure and a touch of cocoa before a long finish.
This wine pairs well with blue cheese such as Stilton or Roquefort and desserts made with dark chocolate or berries. It should be decanted before serving due to sediment in the bottle.
Wine Description
The Story
As well as Fonseca and Guimaraens Vintage Ports, blended from the wines of all three of its properties, the firm also offers rich, velvety single quinta Vintage Ports made entirely from the produce of Quinta do Panascal. These are a pure expression of the estate's terroir. Like Guimaraens Vintage Ports, they are made in years producing softer more approachable wines which do not need to be cellared for a long time before being enjoyed.
Located on the steep right bank of the Távora River, Panascal is one of the most highly reputed vineyards in the Douro Valley. In the words of a local saying, 'From Roncão and Panascal come the finest wines of Portugal'. Since its acquisition by the company in 1978 the estate has been the object of major investment intended, not only to bring new life to the vineyard, but to ensure that the estate produces outstanding wines which today form the backbone of the Fonseca Vintage Port blend. The wines of Quinta do Panascal are rich, with voluptuous fruitiness, mouth filling density and a velvety texture.
Wine Information
Flowering occurred under wet and cold conditions and, as a result, poor set affected all grape varieties, resulting in lower yields, but with great concentration of flavor. The temperatures for the 2008 growing season were lower than average. The final ripening of the grapes was greatly enhanced with rain falling between the September 4 and 7, and a further downpour just before the vintage started. Picking started on September 25 at Quinta do Panascal. A key characteristic of the 2008 vintage were the hot days combined with cold nights--perfect weather conditions not only for the final ripening of the grapes, but also for the fermentation rates. This provided wonderful freshness of fruit, complexity and great structure.
