Fonseca Guimaraens Port 2012

Very deep purple black with violet highlights. As would be expected of a Guimaraens Vintage Port, the first impression on the nose is of a powerful detonation of blackberry, cassis, strawberry and woodland fruit. These exuberant berry aromas are seasoned with notes of coffee, treacle and spice and surrounded by a fragrant balsamic aura of gumcistus and mint. The intense fruit flows through the palate like a thick blackcurrant coulis. The palate is supported by a taut fabric of closely woven tannins and the long finish resounds with a final blast of sumptuous ripe berry flavour.

In the early 1950’s, the rising demand for vintage ports led Fonseca Guimaraens to create a second vintage port under the ‘Guimaraens’ label in ‘non-classic’, or undeclared years. Guimaraens vintage port is produced from the same three Fonseca quintas in the Cima Corgo which provide the backbone of Fonseca’s vintage ports in declared years. Because they are produced from wines from the same sources as the classic Fonseca vintage ports, Guimaraens vintage ports consistently show the classic Fonseca style. Somewhat earlier maturing than Fonseca vintage ports, they 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 smaller blend of Guimaraens vintage produced and these non classic wines, for their quality and rarity offer an exceptional value. A key characteristic of the entire vintage were the hot days combined with cold nights giving perfect weather conditions not only for the final ripening of the grapes, but also for the fermentation rates. This provided wonderful freshness of fruit, complexity and great structure.