Fonseca
Classic Vintage Port
VINTAGE
2009
COUNTRY
Portugal
TABLE #
5224
REGION
Douro Valley
95
This is gorgeously vibrant and grapey, with good cut to the luscious dark fruit and cedar flavors that are flanked by zesty acidity and tannins. A touch brooding midpalate, with a minerally rush and a finish of slate and iron. Best from 2016 through 2036.
Fonseca’s three vineyards—Quinta do Panascal, Quinta de Cruzeiro and Quinta de Santo António—all form the backbone of the famous Fonseca Vintage Portos, produced only in vintages that are “declared” as being of the highest quality. Fonseca is recognized across the Douro as a leader of viticultural practices for Porto and has spearheaded development of organic and sustainable programs across the region. The fruit for Fonseca Vintage Port is foot trodden in granite lagares on the estate. Fermentation is halted by the addition of grape spirits before all the residual sugar has been fermented, creating a sweet, fortified wine. The wine is aged for two years in oak before being bottled unfiltered.
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Tinta Amarela
2 years in oak
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.
