Guimaraens
THE 2018 COMBINES THE RICH, RIPE FRUIT OF QUINTA DO PANASCAL IN THE TÁVORA VALLEY AND THE STRUCTURE AND DEPTH OF THE PINHÃO VALLEY ESTATES.
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.
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BOTTLE LAIN DOWN
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DECANTING RECOMMENDED
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VEGAN
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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
Almost impenetrable purple-black color in the center, with a narrow violet band at the rim. The nose is dense and compact, with impressive depth and structure. The fruit quality is excellent, a delicious blend of red and black fruit aromas mixed with dark chocolate notes, hallmarks of Fonseca vintages. Surrounding this core of powerful, complex fruit is an aura of balsamic and minty aromas. While the nose is sumptuous and seductive, there is an attractive, firm side provided by graphite and a fine minerality.
The first impression on the palate is one of silky smoothness, but the tannins suddenly explode on the palate with assertive pungency and a thread of acidity that runs through the palate to provide lively freshness. There is an abundance of fresh berry fruit flavors that linger through to the long finish. This excellent Guimaraens Vintage exhibits vigor and depth, yet is supple and expressive enough to be drunk early.
Notes on Viticultural Year
The character of the 2018 wines was influenced by an unusual and occasionally challenging viticultural year. After a very hot and dry 2017, by mid-January, 56% of Portugal, particularly the northeast, was declared to be in severe drought. Fortunately, March was very wet and the heavy rains, totaling 223 mm in Pinhão, filled the groundwater reserves that came to prove vital during the ripening period. By the end of June the weather remained cold and wet, causing mildew in some vineyards, and hail storms on May 28th caused extensive damage to some properties in the Pinhão region.
The vineyard cycle was about three weeks behind the previous year, with the painter arriving only in late July. The weather in July was dry and relatively mild, but August saw the arrival of intensely hot weather, with temperatures well above 40° C in the Upper Douro in the early days of August. The heat allowed the cycle to recover, and although the hot weather continued, the large amount of moisture in the soil resulted in an even and balanced ripening of the grapes.
The harvest started at Quinta do Panascal da Fonseca in the Távora valley and its properties in the Pinhão valley, Cruzeiro and Santo António, in the week of September 22nd and was carried out in warm and dry conditions. The young wines had a deep color and stood out for the freshness of the fruit and excellent acidity.
Winemaker's Notes
I believe that the 2018 is one of the finest recent examples of a Guimaraens Vintage. It displays the rich, dense woodland fruit which is the keynote of the Fonseca house style. But it also has the fresh acidity, sturdy, well integrated tannins and depth of flavour which are typical of the year.
Winemaker's Notes
I believe that the 2018 is one of the finest recent examples of a Guimaraens Vintage. It displays the rich, dense woodland fruit which is the keynote of the Fonseca house style. But it also has the fresh acidity, sturdy, well integrated tannins and depth of flavour which are typical of the year.
Guimaraens
Awards & Press Comments
Richard Mayson - 95 Points
Decanter, 2020
" Lovely, ripe expressive dark chocolate concentration on the nose, this really sings from the glass; dense and voluptuous on the palate, super-ripe and plummy with luscious texture backed by firm, gravelly tannins that extend to a broad, gripping finish. Glorious. This will be a keeper. "
Neil Martin - 95 Points
Vinous.com, 2020
" The 2018 Guimaraens Vintage Port, the first release since 2015, has a rich and opulent bouquet with black cherries, stewed figs and dates. It has a little more warmth than the Quinta da Roeda 2018 tasted alongside, certainly one of the more decadent aromatics. The palate is sweet and fleshy on the entry with black fruit tar. desiccated orange peel. Xmas cake and juniper berries. I admire the harmony of this Vintage Port. The firm structure only becomes apparent towards the finish. Wonderful length on the aftertaste. the mouth stained with Port for 60 seconds after. Excellent. "
Roger Voss - 94 Points
Wine Enthusiast, 2020
" This is a beautiful, luscious wine. It has all the characteristics of a fine Vintage from this producer, with richness and opulence masking powerful tannins. Here, though, is a Port that will also develop relatively quickly. It is likely to be ready from 2027. "
James Molesworth - 94 Points
Wine Spectator, 2020
" Warm, soft-edged and generally open, with a core of steeped plum, blackberry preserve and blueberry reduction flavors leading the way, backed by hints of ganache and licorice root on the finish that add a grippier feel. More bass than treble, but well-packed and should age well. Best from 2030 through 2045. "
João Paulo Martins - 18,5 Pontos
Vinho Grandes Escolhas, 2020
" Muito rico de aromas, com um ambiente tenso, onde a fruta negra se mostra ainda pouco, a dizer-nos que precisa de tempo. Austero, quase metálico e muito vegetal, fazendo jus ao estilo desta marca. Muito bem apresentado na boca, com taninos finos mas presentes, uma fruta rica e notas apimentadas e a revelar um conjunto de muito bom nível, de longa vida em garrafa. "
Fernando Melo - 18 Pontos
Evasões, 2020
" Cor retinta, tinta-da-china. Aromas de noz-moscada e ameixa preta confitada. Entrada de boca com sugestões de chocolate preto e pimenta, laivos de nêspera madura, evoluindo para notas de figos secos e alcaçuz. Taninos vigorosos e muito finos, servindo a frescura geral que o vinho proporciona. Final longo, seco e copioso. "
Luís Costa - 17,5 Points
Revista de Vinhos, 2022
" Este Vintage é de tonalidade rubi densa, profunda e impenetrável e está recheado de fruta - mirtilos, amoras, groselhas pretas, cereja madura. A elegância é-lhe transmitida pelas flores azuis e violáceas, pelos apontamentos de pimenta preta e pela belíssima acidez. Um Vintage suculento e delicioso, que só agora está a dar os primeiros passos de uma vida seguramente longa. "
