In the glass
What it pairs with
-
Mature cheddar
Wood-aged sweetness against a sharp cheese. -
Chocolate fondant
Cocoa richness with the wine's black fruit. -
Pastel de nata
Find pastel de nata on TableJourney →
Caramel custard and wood spice.
How to serve Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Port glass or small Bordeaux glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Mature cheddar, Chocolate fondant, Pastel de nata. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Fonseca's LBV bottles a single declared harvest aged longer in wood than Vintage, ready to enjoy on release.
- 1979 — First Fonseca LBV
Facts
- Producer
- Fonseca Porto
- Grapes
- Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz
- Classification
- DOC Porto
- Oak
- Aged four to six years in wood before bottling
- ABV
- 20.0%
- Price
- EUR 18 to 24 at retail
- Drinking window
- 0 to 5 from release
- First vintage
- 1979
Scores
- Wine Spectator 91 (2016 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage
What does Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage taste like?
Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, medium acidity with a medium finish. A rich single-harvest LBV with the house's signature opulent black fruit, smooth and ready to drink.
When should I drink Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage?
Drink 0 to 5 from release. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage?
Mature cheddar is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chocolate fondant and Pastel de nata. Wood-aged sweetness against a sharp cheese.
What grapes are in Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage?
The blend is Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz. The wine is classified as DOC Porto.