The 2016 Fonseca is a triumph of classic vintage Port – rich, layered and utterly brilliant. We tasted a bottle in the office this week and agreed, this is a must buy for any Port lover!
Part of the Fladgate group of Croft & Taylor, Fonseca is one of the leading Port houses, and for good reason. Founded in 1822 the house is now run by the 6th generation of the Guimaraens family. A traditional property, all the grapes are hand trodden in granite lagares before being aged in barrel or bottle depending on the Port. Fonseca is one of the most opulent and concentrated of the Ports houses when young, and with that, one of the longest lived.
Looking at more mature vintages that we have offered recently made us think how good value the 2016 is at this young age.
2
016 Fonseca
£290 per 6 IB
97 Points, Wine Advocate "On this second look, this Fonseca is still remarkably expressive, lifted and gloriously fresh, even with that slight closing. It has reasonable mid-palate concentration but even better intensity of flavor. Despite that intensity of flavor, it is not quite as sexy as it is in some years, at least not yet, as the tannins are firmly in charge. That isn't changing anytime soon. This rather stern Fonseca simply revels in its brilliant structure. This is a Port that demands cellaring if you want it to be all it can be. You and it will profit from at least 10 more years of cellaring. Doubling that will help a lot more."
96 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous MediaThe 2016 Fonseca Vintage Port began to be picked on 21 September at their Panascal vineyard, their Quinta do Cruzeira vineyard not picked until 6 October. It is deep, almost inky in colour. The bouquet is very intense with luscious black fruit laced with embers, clove and hints of bay leaf. There is wonderful purity here and a broodiness that suggests you'd better be patient. The palate is sweet and lively on the entry with some gorgeous ginger and curry leaf notes littered over the compact black fruit. There is wonderful density to this Fonseca. It is like a coiled spring with so much energy towards the finish that you just know this will be a long-term prospect. Superb. Production is 4,900 cases.
For our full list of Port, all lying at Seckford ready for Christmas delivery please click here