Description:
Notes of the Year:
The wet 1999 harvest was followed by a cold, dry winter. April and May were very wet; half of the annual rain fell in these two months. June and July were dry.
August remained dry and the first half of the month was extremely hot. The end of August and beginning of September presented perfect ripening conditions, with long warm days. A few days of rain between September 10th and 18th produced ideal conditions and completed maturation. The resulting wines were very full-bodied, with intense color and very attractive aromas.
Test results:
Deep purple/black color. Intense and deep aromas, showing concentrated and opulent fruits, typical of the style of Fonseca wines.
Rich aromas of black currant and plum, finished with floral and spicy notes. Full-bodied and velvety in the mouth, with soft and ripe tannins, with good strength, guaranteeing a long fruity finish.
Press Notes:
"The ancient Fonseca is still a young creation. It has rich blackberry, cassis and a licorice nose with a touch of leather saddle, fruit cake and earth. The palate has a sensual entry, very well integrated tannins, with nothing missing and with notes of blackberry, black olive jam, fig and a touch of damson plum jam. Lovely natural balance, yet still freeing itself from its young and portentous body. A Fonseca par excellence." Neal Martin ( May 2009 – 95 points)
"…this full-bodied, unctuously textured Port wine is one of the most concentrated of the harvest." "…this large-scale but extraordinarily well-balanced result is surprisingly pleasant and accessible (by Fonseca standards)." Robert Parker ( October 2002 – 95+)
"Very closed, with a lot of plum and raisin character. Full-bodied, medium sweet and very velvety, with a lot of fruit and round tannins. Good strength. Very harmonious for a Fonseca." James Suckling ( May 30, 2002 – 92-94 points)
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Type: Harbor
Vendor: Fonseca
Winemaker:
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