eRobertParker.com June, 2013 Tasted at the Vintners Company’s 650th anniversary celebration at Vintners Hall, the Fonseca 1970 was the finest bottle I have encountered. The bouquet opens beautifully with heady scents of clove, ginger, small red cherries, bergamot and allspice, displaying exquisite definition and harmony. The palate follows suit with lovely balance and poise in the mouth, notes of kirsch, shaved ginger and walnut building to an opulent, viscous finish that lacquers the mouth. Yet this bottle shows more control than the bottle tasted four years ago. The 1970 Fonseca is in a very nice place at the moment. You should join it. Tasted May 2013. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 01/01/1989 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 1970, of course, is a powerful Fonseca with an exotic bouquet and lush, creamy, multidimensional flavors. (93)

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 1970, of course, is a powerful Fonseca with an exotic bouquet and lush, creamy, multidimensional flavors.

Tasted at the Carlton Club in St. James Street. This is quintessential Fonseca. The nose is alcoholic and heady: cloves, black fruits, allspice, ginger and kirsch all with wonderful definition and lift. The palate is full-bodied, slightly viscous on the entry, rich and enticing with touches of fig, nutmeg and walnut towards the decadent finish. Whereas Taylor ’70 is all reserve and aloofness, this Fonseca only knows how to party hard. Drink now-2025. Tasted May 2009.

Mid brick-tawny. A meaty hint, with dark chocolate, fig and praline. Rich but with an underlying elegance and sophistication. Great length and lots of depth. (TJ)

Very deep crimson only just turning to ruby. Sweet – much more concentrated and vigorous than most. Very big and bold and impressive. A certain wild gaminess on the nose. Perhaps not the most subtle but certainly arresting. Rather too hard on the finish at the moment and, apparently, merely in middle age. You’ve got to admire it… Definite alcohol on the finish. A little bit exhibitionistic. (JR)