Guimaraens

See its Characteristics

THE 2015 HARVEST, FONSECA'S BICENTENNIAL YEAR, PRODUCED AN EXCEPTIONAL GUIMARAENS VINTAGE, EXPRESSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE BUT WITH THE VIGOR NECESSARY TO ENSURE A LONG LIFE IN THE CELLAR.

In certain years when there is no classic Fonseca Vintage Port, a Guimaraens Vintage Port may be made instead. Guimaraens Vintage Ports nevertheless share the origins, heritage and complex fruity style of the classic Fonseca vintages and are drawn from the produce of the same three estates. They differ only in that they are more approachable, ready to drink earlier

  • Fonseca Porto BOTTLE LAIN DOWN

  • Fonseca Porto DECANTING RECOMMENDED

  • Fonseca Porto VEGAN

  • Fonseca Porto 16ºC - 18 ºC

The Port continues to improve for decades after bottling. The bottle should be kept lain down in a cool place, ideally at a temperature below 16ºC.

Should be decanted before being served. Stand the bottle upright a few hours before decanting to allow the sediment to fall to the bottom of the bottle. Pour the wine in a slow, steady stream into a decanter, ensuring that only the clear wine is poured, leaving the sediment behind.

This Port wine is Vegan friendly

The wine benefits from being served between 16ºC to 18ºC.

The Port continues to improve for decades after bottling. The bottle should be kept lain down in a cool place, ideally at a temperature below 16ºC.

Should be decanted before being served. Stand the bottle upright a few hours before decanting to allow the sediment to fall to the bottom of the bottle. Pour the wine in a slow, steady stream into a decanter, ensuring that only the clear wine is poured, leaving the sediment behind.

This Port wine is Vegan friendly

The wine benefits from being served between 16ºC to 18ºC.

Tasting Notes

Opaque purple color, almost black, with a very narrow purple halo. Classic Fonseca nose, with an intense, almost intoxicating aroma of wild berries. The fruitiness is powerful but at the same time very fine and complex. Dense blackberry and cassis aromas are the base notes for the mentholated and balsamic herbal scents and the resinous character of cistus.


Discreet notes of exotic wood, licorice and black pepper add an additional dimension of complexity. The palate is built around a dense core of black fruits and the tannins, with their dense, tight weave, provide both structure and volume. Raspberry and plum aromas add freshness and lightness to the long, lush finish. The 2015 vintage, Fonseca's bicentennial year, produced an exceptional Vintage Guimaraens, expressive and accessible but with the necessary vigor to ensure a long life in the cellar.

Notes on Viticultural Year

The viticultural year will be remembered as unusually dry and the Fonseca properties in Pinhão recorded rainfall of less than a third when compared to the average of the last ten years. The weather remained dry until early spring, resulting in a harvest without any sign of disease, although the yield was lower.


Due to the weather conditions and the heat of early summer, the painting started earlier leading to an early ripening. In late July and throughout August, conditions remained stable with no heat spikes. Maturation remained balanced and by harvest time the crop was in excellent condition, with perfectly healthy bunches. Given the early ripening, the first grapes were ready to harvest, with excellent phenolic and sugar levels, as early as the end of the first week of September. So the harvest started on the 12th at Quinta do Panascal in the Távora valley, with cool nights allowing for balanced fermentations and long extraction periods.


The harvest was, however, briefly suspended during the 15th and 16th because of heavy rain. Although perfect weather conditions returned soon after, the harvest at the Cruzeiro and Santo Antonio estates was delayed until the end of the month. Excellent wines were made until the end of the harvest in early October.

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Winemaker's Notes

"A rather dry spring and summer resulted in lower yields, but the health of the grapes was arguably one of the best in recent years. Balanced ripeness gave the 2015s the firm but well-integrated tannins that characterize the wines of this vintage." 

...

Winemaker's Notes

"A rather dry spring and summer resulted in lower yields, but the health of the grapes was arguably one of the best in recent years. Balanced ripeness gave the 2015s the firm but well-integrated tannins that characterize the wines of this vintage." 

Guimaraens

Awards & Press Comments

Pairing Suggestions

Walnuts are an excellent accompaniment to Vintage Port, as are blue veined and other richly flavoured cheeses. So too are dried fruits such as apricots or figs. Alternatively, simply savour the rich and complex flavours of the wine on their own in a generously proportioned glass with good company.

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