Guimaraens Vintage Port 2018 – Kobrand Wine & Spirits

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Portugal / Douro Valley Porto

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.

94 Points

2018 vintage

95 Points

2018 vintage

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Harvest Note

The 2018 viticultural cycle had a challenging start but, as the harvest drew nearer, the conditions for making outstanding Vintage Port all fell into place. This was particularly true of the Douro Superior, which enjoyed the combination of intense summer heat and abundant ground water which often produces great Vintage Port. It gave us the excellent phenolic maturity typical of a hot ripening season but the elegance and fresh acidity we normally associate with cooler years. Harvesting began at Fonseca’s Quinta do Panascal in the Távora Valley and on its Pinhão Valley properties, Cruzeiro and Santo António, in the week of 22nd September and was carried out in hot, dry conditions. The young wines were very deeply coloured and stood out for their fresh fruit character and excellent acidity.

Tasting Note

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 are scents of balsamic, mint, graphite and a flinty minerality. The palate opens with silky smoothness and finished with structured tannins and a wire of acidity runs through the wine to give it a lively freshness. This superb Guimaraens Vintage Port displays depth but is sufficiently supple and expressive for early drinking.

Technical Data

GRAPES: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca

APPELLATION: Douro Valley Porto

PH: 3.75

ACIDITY: 4.6 g/l

ABV: 20%

AGING: Aged for 2 years in large, conditioned French oak vats before bottling.

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.

“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 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.