Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Tinta Amarela
The 2009 viticultural year started early, with the first buds appearing within the first few days of March. Vegetative growth was healthy and vigorous but vine fertility was low, with all varieties producing only a small quantity of fruit. The coloring of the grapes (véraison) also started earlier than usual. Relatively cool conditions in July meant that ripening was initially slow, but this accelerated in August with the onset of very hot weather. Both July and August were extremely dry, with hardly any rainfall, and the arid conditions continued into September. The reduced yields, resulting from low vine productivity and the very dry summer, resulted in dense and concentrated musts with high levels of tannin, sugar and color.
The wine is an opaque black, with a classic Fonseca nose dominated by an exuberant, hedonistic fruitiness, a dark, dense
blackberry and blackcurrant that slowly releases a heady spicy and herbal aroma, seductive notes of coffee and cocoa,
hints of prune and wild scents of gum cistus. The thick, velvety tannins give the wine a voluptuous density, integrating
effortlessly with the sumptuous infusion of blackberry jam, dark chocolate and licorice that coats the palate. The tannins
are also present on the finish, which brims with blackberry and blackcurrant flavor.
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.
