The nose does not really inspire adulation with aromas of raisin and scorched leather but lacking the vigour of Taylors or Croft. But the palate again is much, much better with hints of red cherries, sloes, burnt caramel and espresso on the mid-palate though not as concentrated as the ‘77. Perhaps this Fonseca is a little foursquare with moderate length. Drink now. Tasted October 2003.

Fonseca is one of the great port lodges, producing the most exotic and most complex port. If Fonseca lacks the sheer weight and power of a Taylor, Dow or Warre, or the opulent sweetness and intensity of a Graham, it excels in its magnificently complex, intense bouquet of plummy, cedary, spicy fruit and long, broad, expansive flavors. With its lush, seductive character, one might call it the Pomerol of Vintage ports. When it is young, it often loses out in blind tastings to the heavier, weightier, more tannic wines, but I always find myself upgrading my opinion of Fonseca after it has had 7-10 years of age. The 1966 is a top success for that vintage and is fully mature, but will hold for 15 or more years. .

Bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd, who bottled their last wines in 1991 with a 1990 Chapoutier. They were still bottling bordeaux in the late 1970s and wood ports in the late 1980s. Sweet red fruits on this with a peppery finish. This was still going strong! A note of pimento even. Lots of flattering roundness of texture. Mature vintage port is a very special treat. (JR)

Deep at the centre, just showing its age on the rim; lovely tight-knit yet fragrant aromas with bitter-sweet dark chocolate at the core both on the nose and palate, fine tannic grip holding it all together. This is a very fine example of a very fine wine.
19/20 – Richard Mayson

“Sweet with lovely fleshy texture, fruit, flavour and finish. Might surpass even the ‘63 now – 2030
– Michael Broadbent

Tasted blind. Mid tawny. Some leafy and spirity notes then demerara sugar, Christmas cake and a dried-blackberry note. Rich, fully sweet and figgy, with a dark-chocolate finish. The alcohol pushes through that a bit, though. Power style over elegance. Dow again?? (TJ)