Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage 1996

Notes - In years when Fonseca does not ‘declare’ a classic vintage, it selects the finest grapes from its own vineyards to yield a small quantity of this superb wine, which is produced exactly as a declared Fonseca Vintage. Beautifully structured and perfectly balanced, Guimaraens Vintage Ports show Fonseca’s superb marriage of power and breed in a slightly lighter, earlier-maturing style. While somewhat earlier-maturing than Fonseca vintage ports, the fundamental difference between these and Guimaraens vintage ports lies in the latters’ upbringing. These are aged in Fonseca’s lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia and are only released for sale upon reaching maturity, which may be a decade or more after the vintage date. There is a considerably smaller blend of Guimaraens vintage produced than of Fonseca vintage port, and these non-classic wines, for their quality and rarity, offer exceptional value. Purple-black in colour. Powerful nose crammed with ripe cherry and raspberry aromas, with hints of cedar and and spice. Firm and round on the palate with chewy tannins and luscious jammy blackcurrant flavour. This superb wine exhibits the aromatic opulence and voluptuous ripe black fruit character that are the hallmarks of the Guimaraens vintage style and of the two Pinhão Valley vineyards on which it is based.True to the Fonseca style, Guimaraens vintage ports are intensely rich and concentrated with beautiful structure and balance. As all vintage ports, they will continue to mature in bottle and throw a crust, requiring decanting prior to serving.
 
     

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