COUNTRY
Portugal
TABLE #
333
REGION
Douro Valley
94
This is hitting its stride now, with an alluring set of warmed ganache, toasted black sesame, plum cake and canned brown bread notes leading the way. Shows a black treacle hint, along with succulence and brambly grip on the back end, giving this a distinctive persona. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. Best from 2025 through 2045. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 12,000 cases made, 360 cases imported
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.
Walnuts are an excellent accompaniment to Vintage Port, as are blue-veined
and other richly flavored cheeses. So too, are dried fruits such as apricots
or figs.