Fonseca
Guimaraens Vintage Port

VINTAGE

2012

COUNTRY

Portugal

REGION

Douro Valley

TABLE #

316

93

This is starting to open up, featuring singed alder and ganache notes that meld into the core of crushed plum, fig and blackberry compote flavors. Flickers of tobacco and espresso fill in through the finish, with the alder accent lingering. Best from 2024 through 2037. 4,500 cases made, 500 cases imported. — JM

Guimaraens Vintage Ports are made in certain years when a classic Fonseca Vintage is not declared and are generally more supple and approachable when young. An excellent choice for early drinking, they nevertheless have the depth and stamina to mature in bottle. Guimaraens is crafted from grapes sourced from three of Fonseca’s most prized estates. In the Tavora Valley, Quinta do Panascal is one of the most highly reputed Port vineyards. Cruzeiro, on the east bank of the Pinhão River, has been supplying Fonseca since the 1870s and its wines have contributed to the firm’s Vintage Port blends since 1912. Close by, Santo Antonio has been highly rated since the 1761 classification of port vineyards and is the site of award-winning work in sustainable viticulture.
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
Bottle aged
The winter preceding the 2012 harvest was much colder and drier than usual, with only 183,6mm of rain falling at Pinhão between November and March. Bud burst occurred at the normal time towards the third week in March followed by good levels of rainfall in April and early May. At the end of May the vineyards showed low vigour, a result of the extremely dry winter and cooler than normal spring. Continued good weather during June and July led to the healthy evolution of the vines, although the smaller berries and bunches showed a low yield for the year. Vérasion occurred a little later than usual.
Deep ruby black center with narrow purple rim. Impressive depth and intensity of fruit on the nose. Very fine complex woodland berry aromas intertwined with discreet resiny, balsamic scents of garrigue, rock rose and wild herbs. On the palate the dark fruit flavors have a surprising freshness and a tight mesh of thick, grippy tannins provides both structure and volume. A wonderfully long finish leaving succulent flavors of raspberry and cassis. Very fine and beautifully balanced, the 2012 Guimaraens combines the depth and richness of Quinta do Panascal with the clearly delineated fruit and heady scented quality of the Pinhão Valley.
Blue cheese, aged cheeses, desserts made with dark chocolate or berries, nuts or dried fruits.
20%
101 g/l
3.93 g/l
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