Fonseca Vintage 2000

Notes on the Year:

The wet 1999 harvest was followed by a cold, dry winter. April and May were very wet; half the annual rainfall fell in those two months. June and July were dry.

August stayed dry and the first half of the month was extremely hot. Late August and early September brought perfect ripening conditions, with long warm days. A few days of rain between 10 and 18 September created ideal conditions and completed ripening. The resulting wines were very full-bodied, with intense colour and very attractive aromas.

 Tasting Notes:

Deep purple/black colour. Intense, deep aromas showing concentrated, opulent fruit, typical of the Fonseca style.

Rich aromas of blackcurrant and plum, topped with floral and spicy notes. Full-bodied and velvety on the palate, with soft, ripe tannins and good grip, ensuring a long, fruity finish.

 Press Notes:

"The millennium Fonseca is still a youngster. It has a rich blackberry, cassis and liquorice nose with a touch of saddle leather, fruitcake and earth. The palate has a sensual entry, very well-integrated tannins, nothing out of place, with notes of blackberry, black olive tapenade, fig and a touch of damson jam. Lovely natural balance, though still shedding its young, portentous body. Fonseca par excellence." Neal Martin (May 2009 – 95 points)

"…this full-bodied, unctuously textured Port is one of the most concentrated of the vintage." "…this large-scale but extraordinarily well-balanced effort is surprisingly pleasant and approachable (by Fonseca standards)." Robert Parker (October 2002 – 95+)

"Very closed, with lots of plum and raisin character. Full-bodied, medium sweet and very velvety, with lots of fruit and round tannins. Good grip. Very harmonious for a Fonseca." James Suckling (30 May 2002 – 92-94 points)