Fonseca Vintage Port 2003 - 375 ml 375 ml

Fonseca vintage ports are renowned for their great fruit richness and voluptuousness, and, while powerful and mouthfilling, for their breed and balance. In the context of each vintage, they combine the tannic dimension and "grip" which give great port its longevity with the structure and complexity that are Fonseca's hallmark. Among the Douro's first growths, Fonseca Vintage Port is clearly the "Pétrus" of Port.

The 2003 Vintage Port comes in with 92 grams per litre of residual sugar. This is a big boy in terms of voluptuous fruit, it is drinkable now, even if it still tightens noticeably as it sits in the glass. This rather dry Fonseca is big and fat, yet there is also some concept of balance. This very warm vintage wasn't exactly shy. The concentration easily counters the power, and it steadily acquired better balance as it sat and aired. Winemaker David Guimaraens told me that he thinks his grandchildren will be able to enjoy it, so there is no rush. Cellar this for another decade, at the least, more like 20 years if you like them softer and more complex.