Notes - The backbone of Fonseca vintage ports are the wines drawn primarily from Fonseca’s three quintas, all located in the Cima Corgo: Quinta de Santo António, Quinta do Cruzeiro, and Quinta do Panascal. All three properties are A-rated, and were purchased by the firm in the 1970s; the former two had been under contract to Fonseca Guimaraens in the early 1900s. The finest grapes from these quintas are blended with wines from other quintas long under contract to Fonseca to produce its classic vintage ports. The grapes are still trodden by foot in the stone ‘lagares’ of Cruzeiro and Panascal. Fonseca vintage ports are renowned for their great richness, and, while powerful and mouthfilling, for their exquisite structure and femininity. In the context of each vintage, they combine the tannic dimension and ‘grip’ which give great port its longevity, with the breeding, complexity and perfect balance that are Fonseca’s hallmarks. " Splendid colour, leafy fruit on the nose. Fullish but not a blockbuster. Intensely ripe but nicely cool. Very good grip, plenty of depth and class, lovely ripe fruit. Finishes very well, very fine." Robert Parker.