Tasting notes

Fonseca vintage ports are marked by a style of great fruit richness, voluptuousness and firm tannic backbone. Their initial flavors of opulently concentrated black fruit and jammy spice evolve to reveal complex, silky impressions of dried currants, rose petal and dark chocolate with ending in a long, seductive finish.

Rating

Robert Parker 93 points (Jan 2000) Somewhat of a lightweight for Fonseca, but undeniably charming, this dark ruby/purple-colored wine offers a floral, exotic, flamboyant bouquet, a sweet, fleshy style, but not a great deal of weight or massiveness. Heady alcohol, sweet tannin, and a velvety texture make for a gorgeous finish. While I would have preferred to have seen more weight, structure, and intensity, this is an outstanding, albeit lighter than normal Fonseca. Anticipated maturity: now-2020. Importer: Kobrand Corp., New York, NY; tel. (212) 490-9300