Fonseca Port, 1934

Vintage Port, DOC Douro
Base of neck
Peatling & Cawdron Bottling

Description and Reviews:
The house of Fonseca traces its origins to the early nineteenth century. The first evidence of the firm trading in Port is an entry dated 8th April, 1815, in the ledgers of the Real Companhia Velha, the royal monopoly company. This records the purchase of 32 pipes of Port by the firm’s founder, João dos Santos Fonseca. His first documented sale occurred on 14th September, 1815, followed in 1816 by his first overseas shipment.

Fonseca Ports are known for their intense and complex aromatics. A 1934 Fonseca will likely offer aromas of dried fruits (such as figs and dates), nuts (like almonds and walnuts), and spices. You might also encounter notes of chocolate, coffee, and a hint of tobacco or leather, showcasing the wine's age and development.

Taste: On the palate, this Port should be rich and smooth with flavours of dark chocolate, caramel, and dried fruits. The sweetness will be balanced by a refined acidity, and there may be layers of complex flavours such as toffee, molasses, and subtle earthy notes. Over time, the tannins will have softened, contributing to a silky texture.

James Suckling, in his authoritative book on Vintage Port, put it as follows: 'The vintage Ports of Fonseca are perhaps the most consistently great of them all. Not only do they have a striking fleshiness and powerful richness when young, but they retain that youthfulness for decades.'