In the glass
What it pairs with
-
Roast venison
Find roast venison on TableJourney →
Gamey richness meets the wine's concentrated dark fruit. -
Stilton
Salt and blue cheese against opulent sweet fruit. -
Dark chocolate tart
Liquorice and cocoa on cocoa.
How to serve Fonseca Vintage Port
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. Roast venison, Stilton, Dark chocolate tart. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Fonseca has declared Vintage Port since the early 19th century, building a reputation for a richer, more exotic style than its Fladgate stablemate Taylor's.
- 1815 — House founded
- 1896 — Quinta do Panascal becomes the heart of the Vintage
Facts
- Producer
- Fonseca Porto
- Grapes
- Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cao
- Classification
- DOC Porto
- Oak
- Aged about two years in vat then bottle-matured
- ABV
- 20.5%
- Price
- EUR 80 to 150 at release
- Drinking window
- 20 to 50 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1815
Scores
- Wine Advocate 98 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2019)
- Wine Spectator 97 (2016 vintage, reviewed 2018)
Frequently asked about Fonseca Vintage Port
What does Fonseca Vintage Port taste like?
Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. Fonseca's Vintage is the lush, exotically fruited counterpoint to Taylor's: opulent black fruit and a perfumed minty lift over firm structure.
When should I drink Fonseca Vintage Port?
Drink 20 to 50 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Fonseca Vintage Port?
Roast venison is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Stilton and Dark chocolate tart. Gamey richness meets the wine's concentrated dark fruit.
What grapes are in Fonseca Vintage Port?
The blend is Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cao. The wine is classified as DOC Porto.