2018 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port 1 x 0.75L 2022 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port 1 x 0.75L 2 Bottles Port Wine DESCRIPTION Since 1815 producing the best and most iconic port wines Fonseca is the only Port house with four 100 Point scoring wines. Perhaps more than any other Port producer, Fonseca has built a loyal community of Port enthusiasts who value its individuality and the inimitable character of its wines. From the legendary 1840, Fonseca's first Vintage Port release, to the superb declared vintages of the last decade, the house has produced a succession of highly acclaimed wines even in the most adverse moments of history. James Suckling, in his authoritative book on Vintage Port, put it as follows: 'The vintage Ports of Fonseca are perhaps the most consistently great of them all. Not only do they have a striking fleshiness and powerful richness when young, but they retain that youthfulness for decades.' This consistency derives not only from continuity of family involvement, and the knowledge and skill passed down from one generation to the next, but also a close link with the vineyard. The firm's three estates of Cruzeiro, Panascal and Santo António are the heart of the distinctive character of Fonseca's Vintage Ports. Fonseca's respect for the vineyard and the unique environment of the Douro Valley expresses itself in the firm's leadership in the field of sustainable and organic viticulture. It was the first house to offer a Port made entirely from organically produced grapes. WINEMAKER: David Guimaraens. AWARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS 97 Points, Wine Align (2018 Vintage) 95 Points, Decanter (2018 Vintage) 95 Points, Revista Adega (2018 Vintage) 94 Points, Wine Spectator (2018 Vintage) 94 Points, Wine Enthusiast (2018 Vintage) 94 Points, Wine & Spirits Magazine (2018 Vintage) 92 Points, Robert Parker (2018 Vintage) 18 Points, Vinho Grandes Escolhas (2018 Vintage) 17.5 Points, Jancis Robinson (2018 Vintage) 17.5 Points, Vinous (2018 Vintage) WINE VARIETIES: Old Vines. VINIFICATION Guimaraens Vintage Ports are made in certain years when a classic Fonseca Vintage is not declared. They are blended from the best produce of the firm’s Pinhão Valley estates, Cruzeiro and Santo António, and Fonseca’s flagship property, Quinta do Panascal, on the right bank of the Távora. 2018 TASTING NOTES Impenetrable purple-black at the centre, with a narrow band of violet on the rim. The nose is dense and compact, with impressive depth and background. The fruit quality is superb, a luscious blend of black and red berry aromas which is the hallmark feature of Fonseca’s vintage ports, mingled with notes of dark chocolate. Around this core of powerful, complex fruit is an aura of balsamic, minty scents. Although the nose is sensuous and seductive, there is an attractive firm edge, provided by graphite and a flinty minerality. The first impression on the palate is of silky smoothness but the tannins suddenly burst out on the finish with an assertive pungency and a wire of acidity runs through the wine to give it a lively freshness. There is an abundance of crisp, berry fruit flavour which carries into the long finish. This superb Guimaraens Vintage Port displays stamina and depth but is sufficiently supple and expressive for early drinking. 2022 TASTING NOTES A distinctive magenta rim surrounds an opaque purple, almost black core. The nose opens with a surge of powerful and intense woodland berry aromas, rich and juicy with hints of cassis, blackberry and wild strawberries. Note of apricot emerge as the wine opens up in the glass, followed by warmer notes of cedar, spice, dark chocolate and that opulent fruit character that defines the Fonseca style On the palate these lush berry fruit aromas are enveloped by an aura of wild herbs, star anise, raspberry leaf, cocoa nibs and a delicious touch of tangerine peel. The wines silky texture conceals the firm, well knit tannins which emerge on the finish to provide an attractive firmness and grip. A seductive Vintage Port which is drinking beautifully now. SERVING 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. Alternatively, simply savor the rich and complex flavors of the wine on their own in a generously proportioned glass with good company. Vintage Port forms a natural deposit in the bottle and should be decanted. Stand the bottle upright a few hours before decanting to allow the sediment to fall to the bottom of the bottle. With time, the cork may become fragile and opening the bottle requires careful treatment. We recommend the use of a Bi-blade corkscrew that will avoid breaking the natural cork, especially one that is older than ten years of age. Pour the wine in a slow, steady stream into a decanter, ensuring that only the clear wine is poured, leaving the sediment behind. Serve at 16ºC to 18ºC. Vintage Port is best drunk one to two days after opening. PLEASE NOTE: This is a recurring auction. The seal number(s) you see on the photos might differ from the one(s) on your bottle(s).