Guimaraens
The 2022 is showing the characteristic aromatic opulence and voluptuous ripe black fruit character, that are the hallmarks of the Guimaraens vintage style.
Guimaraens Vintage Ports are made in certain years when a classic Fonseca Vintage is not declared. They are blended from the best produce of the firm’s Pinhão Valley estates, Cruzeiro and Santo António, and Fonseca’s flagship property, Quinta do Panascal, on the right bank of the Távora. Approachable when young, they are an excellent choice for early drinking but have the depth and stamina to mature in bottle.
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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
A distinctive magenta rim surrounds an opaque purple, almost black core. The nose opens with a surge of powerful and intense woodland berry aromas, rich and juicy with hints of cassis, blackberry and wild strawberries. Note of apricot emerge as the wine opens up in the glass, followed by warmer notes of cedar, spice, dark chocolate and that opulent fruit character that defines the Fonseca style On the palate these lush berry fruit aromas are enveloped by an aura of wild herbs, star anise, raspberry leaf, cocoa nibs and a delicious touch of tangerine peel. The wines silky texture conceals the firm, well knit tannins which emerge on the finish to provide an attractive firmness and grip. A seductive Vintage Port which is drinking beautifully now.
Notes on Viticultural Year
The dormancy period between November and February was extremely dry, with only 78mm of rainfall recorded. The average for this period is much more in the order of 370 mm. Fortunately, March was wet with 75mm of rain which was very important for the growing season to start with some water. Bud burst occurred on the 20th March which is later than normal and Spring was dry. When flowering started on the 19th May, we continued to register very low levels of water – 195mm to be exact from the previous November to the 31st May. Because of the dry conditions, we had very little pressure from disease, which meant that the key focus in the vineyards was dedicated to working the canopies.
At the beginning of June we entered a phase of the first of many heatwaves with temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius recorded - this is very unusual for June. On the 14th July in Pinhão we recorded a temperature of 46.5c (115.7 Fahrenheit), the highest temperature recorded in the country in 2022. As a result of the extreme temperatures, veraison only occurred in the last week of July.
Harvest started on the 7th September at Quinta do Panascal, 10th September at Quinta do Cruzeiro and 18th September at Quinta do Santo António, with the vines producing very small berries, which gave them a good juice to skin ratio. On the 6th September we had a very welcome 4mm of rainfall which kept the temperatures down and gave some very welcome relief to the vines and did a great job in giving the grapes that all important final push.2022 will be remembered for the year that we were able to foot tread again, after two years interruption due to COVID. Seeing the lagares full of people again and knowing that this is the way great vintage ports are made, was a sight to behold.
Winemaker's Notes
2022 will stand out for being a remarkably dry year with a series of heatwaves. It will also be remembered for the year that we were able to reintroduce our foot treading, which due to COVID had not happened for the previous two vintages. The Ports made on the Fonseca estates were outstanding, allowing us to produce a very fine Guimaraens vintage blend, full bodied and packed with dense berry fruit flavour. A true time capsule of the year.
Winemaker's Notes
2022 will stand out for being a remarkably dry year with a series of heatwaves. It will also be remembered for the year that we were able to reintroduce our foot treading, which due to COVID had not happened for the previous two vintages. The Ports made on the Fonseca estates were outstanding, allowing us to produce a very fine Guimaraens vintage blend, full bodied and packed with dense berry fruit flavour. A true time capsule of the year.
Pairing Suggestions
Walnuts are an excellent accompaniment to Vintage Port, as are blue-veined and other richly flavored cheeses. So too are dried fruits such as apricots or figs. Alternatively, simply savor the rich and complex flavors of the wine on their own in a generously proportioned glass with good company.
