Fonseca 20 years old

Established in 1815, Fonseca belongs to the first line of Vintage Port wine producing houses. It is recognized for the consistency in the quality and style of its Vintages, produced by the Guimaraens family, over five generations, since its foundation.
This consistency is the result of continuous family involvement, knowledge and technical competence passed down from generation to generation, but it is also the result of close proximity to the vineyard. The company’s three properties – Quinta do Cruzeiro, Panascal and Santo António – are at the heart of the distinctive character of its Vintage Ports.
Fonseca’s respect for the vineyard and the Douro region is expressed in the firm’s leadership position in the area of sustainable viticulture. Fonseca was the first house to present, in 2006, a Port wine entirely produced from organic grapes.
It is the only Port wine house with four wines rated at 100 Points. Perhaps more than any other house, Fonseca has built a loyal community of Port wine enthusiasts who value their individuality and the inimitable character of their wines.

The Wine

Fonseca 20 Years Old is produced from a selection of Port wines from the best vineyards of Cima Corgo and Douro Superior. The wines are aged in wooden casks of approximately 630 liters capacity, for an average of 20 years. These wooden casks hold a smaller volume of wine. In this way, the contact of the wine with the wood is proportionally greater. As the wine ages in the cask, it gradually loses the deep “ruby” red color of its youth and begins to acquire the enchanting amber hue, known in English as “tawny”. At the same time, the wine becomes progressively softer and more velvety, and its aromas acquire richness and complexity. Twenty years of ageing in wood have given this wine a wonderfully opulent flavour of spices and nuts.

Tasting Notes

The Fonseca 20 Year Old Tawny is a deep amber colour, with brownish edges. Its splendid bouquet is a complex marriage between ripe fruit and honeydew, traces of spice such as cinnamon, butter caramel and subtle nuances of wood.

Endnotes

Region: Douro
Country: Portugal
Producer: Fonseca
Winemaker: David Guimaraens
Service Temperature: between 12ºC and 16ºC
Pairing: Combines well with fig, almond and caramel flavors. It is also excellent to accompany a crème brûlée or a bowl of strawberries. It can also be enjoyed alone, at the end of the meal, with nuts or other nuts.