| Mon-Sat | 10:00 am - 8:00 pm |
| Sun | 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
| Producer | Fonseca |
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Porto |
| Varietal | Port Blend |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Sku | 23018 |
| Size | 750ml |
#88 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2017
Opaque purple-black at the center with a very thin, purple edge. Dense blackberry and blackcurrant aromas form the backdrop for a display of fresh, minty, balsamic scents and resiny notes of wild herbs. Discreet hints of exotic wood, liquorice and black pepper provide an additional dimension of complexity. The thick, tightly woven tannins provide both firmness and volume to the palate which is built around a core of dense, dark berry fruit. Plummy, raspberry flavors emerge on the long, luscious finish, giving it an attractive crispness and lift. An exceptional Guimaraens Vintage Port, expressive and approachable but with the stamina to improve over many years in the cellar.
Enjoy with blue cheese, aged cheeses, desserts made with dark chocolate or berries, nuts or dried fruits.
A firm and gutsy Fonseca with medium to full body, chewy and powerful tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Lots of blueberry, blackberry and mineral undertones. Even some slate. Long and powerful. Medium sweetness. Better in 2019.
This is warm and lush in feel, and really well-built, with layers of blueberry, açaí berry and plum reduction flavors rolling through, laced with hints of ganache and fruitcake. Lots of graphite-edged grip lines the finish.
The 2015 Guimaraens Vintage Port is a field blend coming in at 101 grams per liter of residual sugar. This was a tank sample when seen, out of barrel, the final blend and awaiting bottling in a couple of weeks. It should be released by the time this article appears. This is the blend Fonseca releases when there is no "classic" vintage declaration. It is usually intended to be approachable a bit earlier, much like a second wine. It seems pretty impressive this year, though. Round, big and lush, it might well be the best of the 2015s from the Fladgate Partnership, especially on the hedonism scale. It also seems to be the most concentrated of the Fladgate Partnership's wines this issue, full bodied and mouth coating. With air, this shows plenty of tannins underneath, too, but the mid-palate depth balances everything perfectly. Underneath that first rush of everything is intensely flavorful and fresh 2015 fruit. That's what this vintage tends to deliver. As relatively fat as this is in its youth, it also seems relatively dry this year. This has a long life ahead and the potential for significant development. It may be approachable on the younger side, but I'd personally like to put it away for at least 15 years (from vintage date). It quite possibly needs considerably more cellar time, particularly depending on how much complexity you demand. (I personally tend to lean to longer in my own tastes, but each to his own.) It should age very well, too. Winemaker David Guimaraens told me that he "guaranteed" at least 50 years from vintage date. I think he's right, but let's check back in with him around 2065 and jeer if he is wrong. This is a can't-miss bargain at the price.
This is a ripe and delicious wine, packed with tannins as well as perfumed fruit. It has density as well as rich blackberries and acidity to balance. The wine will be ready to drink from 2025.
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