Classic Vintage Porto 2016
Trade Tools
Portugal / Douro Valley Porto
Fonseca’s three vineyards—Quinta do Panascal, Quinta de Cruzeiro and Quinta de Santo António—all form the backbone of the famous Fonseca Vintage Portos, produced only in vintages that are “declared” as being of the highest quality. Fonseca is recognized across the Douro as a leader of viticultural practices for Porto and has spearheaded development of organic and sustainable programs across the region. The fruit for Fonseca’s Vintage Portos is trod by foot in granite lagares on the estate. Fermentation is halted by the addition of grape spirits before all the residual sugar has been fermented, creating a sweet, fortified wine. The wine is aged for two years in oak before being bottled unfiltered.
98 Points
jamessuckling.com
2016 vintage
96 Points
VinousMedia.com
2016 vintage
Harvest Note
Heavy rainfall in April and May replenished ground water reserves reduced by the dry conditions the previous year but also resulted in significant fruit loss and reduction in yields. July saw the onset of hot, dry conditions that lasted for the rest of the summer. Ripening was even, gradual and rounded off by a spell of rainfall towards the middle of September. Estates that delayed picking until after the rains were rewarded by perfect harvesting weather, the cool nights contributing to long, well-balanced fermentations. The young wines displayed very fine aromas as well as pronounced tannins. This early promise has been fully realized, with the 2016 vintage ports showing elegance, finesse, crisp acidity and tannins of exceptional quality. Picking at Fonseca’s Panascal estate began on September 21st and at Quinta do Cruzeiro in the Pinhão Valley on the 28th. Fonseca’s third property, Quinta do Santo António, only started harvesting on October 6th.
Tasting Note
Dense purple with a narrow purple rim. The nose opens with pure black fruit, a fusion of black cherry, cassis and blackberry jam aromas, with notes of mint, violets and undertones of tropical fruit. Purity and refinement with subtle, complex fruit character, as well as an attractive minerality. The palate is supported by a vibrant acidity and taut, wiry tannins that provide structure, texture and volume. The berry flavors carry into the long finish. A perfectly balanced Vintage Port.
Technical Data
GRAPES: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
APPELLATION: Douro
PH: 3.8
ACIDITY: 3.74 g/l
ABV: 20%
AGING: Aged for 2 years in large, conditioned French oak vats before bottling. Will continue to age in bottle for decades.
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 99 g/l
Unique Selling Points
- The only Port house to receive perfect 100-point scores for four different vintages
- Finely constituted fruit, a hallmark of the house style, with attractive minerality
- Made with 100% foot-trodden grapes from our own properties
- This wine will develop for decades in the bottle
“My team and I strive to bring the very best performance out of our vineyards by careful nurturing of the vines, combined with the very best winemaking techniques available.”
David Guimaraens, Winemaker
About the Grape
Tinta Amarela
Tinta Amarela makes wines with intensely perfumed aromas of blackberry and tea, bold structure, deep color and excellent depth.
Tinta Barroca
Used to make Port wines, this high yielding grape has very high sugar content, which makes wines with pronounced floral character, good structure and firm, ripe tannins.
Tinta Cão
This grape has blackberry, game and meaty aromas, and contributes longevity and exceptional elegance to the blend of Port wines.
Tinta Roriz
Tinta Roriz produces deep-colored grapes of moderate acidity which make bold wines with firm tannins, excellent complexity and distinctive resin-like fragrance.
Touriga Franca
This grape has high tannins and is very aromatic; it lends structure and balance to Port wines. It shows intense fresh red fruit, earth and flower aromas, and is very fruity on the palate.
Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional produces wine with finesse, body and warmth that is dark, concentrated, massively tannic and aromatic. It ages to show the complex aromas typically found in mature vintage port.
