Porto Vintage 2003

Note de dégustation

Belle robe profonde, liseré rouge brique. Bonne profondeur au nez, moelleux et harmonieux avec une petite sensation d'alcool et des notes gourmandes de chocolat noir et de cerises (tomates cerises). Vin équilibré et élégant, finement structuré, avec des touches vivifiantes d'épice et de menthe, fruit souple et précis. Un Porto Vintage déjà très caressant avec des tanins fins qui lui permettront de vieillir en cave de longues années. Rondeur inhabituelle. Deuxième nez débordant de fruit, aux arômes confits de cassis et de mûres sauvages saupoudrés d'une pointe de cacao, avec des tanins fermes mais soyeux.

Un Porto Vintage puissant, très expressif, avec une belle maturité du fruit (cerise) et beaucoup de charme.

Revista de Vinhos

"Fine and charming aroma. Floral notes, elegant morello cherry fruit, dry undergrowth, soft chemical nuances. On the palate it exhibits a rare blend of power and elegance, complex, with steely tannins coated in silk, all in harmony and supremely tuned with an extremely long finish."

Wine Enthusiast

"Fonseca Vintage Ports are always among the most attractive, and among the most long lived. This 2003 confirms magnificently to that model. It is structured, but also so rich, powerful and opulent. There are cassis and black fig flavors, as well as sweet tannins. It is delicious already, and will remain delicious throughout its long life.

James Suckling

"Wild aromas, with flowers, blackberries and passion fruit. Full bodied, massive on the palate. Medium sweet. The finish goes on for minutes.

A mega young Port. Fonseca. What do you expect?"

Notes on the year

The Winter preceding the 2003 harvest was very wet. Flowering took place in bright warm weather at the end of May in some of the best conditions seen for several years.

The first two weeks of August provided the intense Summer heat which often precedes a great port vintage. The second half of August was cooler and two days of rain occurred with perfect timing, ripening off the grapes at the end of the month.

The picking season in September was warm and dry and the yields were even across all grape varieties, ensuring balance and complexity in the wines.