Guimaraens Vintage Ports are made in certain years when a classic Fonseca Vintage is not declared and are generally more supple and approachable when young. An excellent choice for early drinking, they nevertheless have the depth and stamina to mature in bottle. Guimaraens is crafted from grapes sourced from three of Fonseca’s most prized estates. In the Tavora Valley, Quinta do Panascal is one of the most highly reputed Port vineyards. Cruzeiro, on the east bank of the Pinhão River, has been supplying Fonseca since the 1870s and its wines have contributed to the firm’s Vintage Port blends since 1912. Close by, Santo Antonio has been highly rated since the 1761 classification of port vineyards and is the site of award winning work in sustainable viticulture.

93 Points
Wine Advocate
2015 vintage
91 Points
2015 vintage
Harvest Note
The viticultural year will be remembered as unusually dry at the Fonseca properties in the Pinhão area. The rain held off until early spring and this was beneficial in producing a crop with no sign of disease although yields were relatively low. The dry conditions and a very hot start to the summer brought forward the véraison and led to an early start to the ripening season. In late July and throughout August, conditions were more even, with warm conditions and no spells of intense heat. At harvest time the crop was in excellent condition, with shrivel-free bunches. Given the early start to the ripening season, the first grapes were ready to pick by the end of the first week of September. Picking started at Fonseca’s Quinta do Panascal on the 12th with cool night time temperatures producing balanced fermentations and long extraction times. Excellent wines were made until right at the end of the harvest in early October.
Tasting Note
Opaque purple-black at the center with a very thin, purple edge. Dense blackberry and blackcurrant aromas form the backdrop for a display of fresh, minty, balsamic scents and resiny notes of wild herbs. Discreet hints of exotic wood, liquorice and black pepper provide an additional dimension of complexity. The thick, tightly-woven tannins provide both firmness and volume to the palate which is built around a core of dense, dark berry fruit. Plummy, raspberry flavours emerge on the long, luscious finish, giving it an attractive crispness and lift. An exceptional Guimaraens Vintage Port, expressive and approachable but with the stamina to improve over many years in the cellar.
Food Pairing
Blue cheese, aged cheeses, desserts made with dark chocolate or berries, nuts or dried fruits.
Technical Data
GRAPES: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca
APPELLATION: Douro
PH: 3.70
ACIDITY: 4.29 g/l
ABV: 20%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 99 g/l
Unique Selling Points
  • A Vintage Porto crafted when a declaration is not made.
  • Made from fruit grown in Fonseca’s own estate vineyards.
  • A collectible Porto that will develop for decades in the bottle.

About the Grape

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.
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