0

1997 Fonseca, Port, Portugal

  • Red
  • Luscious
  • Full Bodied
  • Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz
Ready - youthful (Drink 2019 - 2057)
Richard Mayson
93/100
Product: 19978008701

Free standard delivery on orders over £200

In Bond purchases can be stored in our temperature-controlled warehouse

Covered by our quality guarantee

1997 Fonseca, Port, Portugal

Description

Fonseca is, in fact, a partner to its rival, Taylor's though the two brands have kept their separate identities. Long-lived, the vintage wines are renowned for their quality and intensity of fruit, sheer opulence, structure and balance to last for decades. Fonseca is without doubt a top name and one that everyone should aspire to try. It is not without reason that Fonseca is described as the Margaux of the Douro; its wines have a femininity and grace that never flatter to deceive.

The 1997 is a perfect example; combining fresh aromatics and layers of berry fruit flavours with a firm but unobtrusive tannic structure. Enormously concentrated and perfectly balanced, this wine is archetypical Fonseca: proof, if proof were needed, that David Guimaraens has inherited all of his father's legendary winemaking skills.

Drink now to 2050

Colour Red
Sweetness Luscious
Vintage 1997
Maturity Ready - youthful (2019 - 2057)
Grape List Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz
Body Full Bodied
Producer Fonseca

Critics reviews

Richard Mayson 93/100
A declaration rather over-shadowed by 1994 and looking good value against its peers. Open, ripe berry fruit aromas come singing from the glass; rich plummy flavours on the palate, ripe and fleshy, wrapped by firm yet ripe tannins that linger on to the finish.
 
Drink 2019-2050
Richard Mayson, Decanter.com (Nov 2019)

About this wine

Touriga Nacional

Touriga Nacional is a highly regarded grape variety indigenous to Portugal, often considered the country's flagship red grape. Known for its intense aromas and flavours, the wines typically feature dark fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, and plums, along with distinctive floral notes like violets and hints of spices, herbs, and chocolate. These generally have high tannin levels, good acidity, and deep, dark colour, contributing to their structure and ageing potential.
Find out more
Porto

Porto

Rich, saccharine, intensely-flavoured and, at their best, wonderfully majestic and harmonious, these are wines to be savoured on their own, or with a fine chunk of cheese after a meal. Port comes from the stunning Douro region of Portugal, about 50 miles east of Oporto, and is made in two different styles: bottle-aged and cask-aged.
Find out more

Fonseca

Fonseca was founded in 1822 when Manuel Pedro Guimaraens acquired control of the Fonseca & Monteiro Company. As a condition of the sale, Fonseca insisted that his name be retained.
Find out more

Need help?

  • Contact our customer service team for help placing your order


    Call us on 0800 280 2440


    Available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

  • Chat with a Berry Bros. & Rudd wine & spirits expert for advice on choosing the perfect bottle.

    A floating button will appear in the bottom right corner of the page, when live chat is available.

Delivery and Quality Guarantee

  • Free delivery on orders over £200.

  • Wines and spirits purchased In Bond from Berry Bros. & Rudd can be stored in our temperature-controlled warehouse.

  • Every bottle sold by Berry Bros. & Rudd is subject to our quality guarantee. If a wine or spirit is corked or faulty, we will replace or refund it.