The wine of the night at the first Wednesday club tasting at the Crossing Restaurant in Clayton… Unbelievably outstanding some thought it was a 40 year old tawny port… But in reality, it was a 60 year old, vintage port, paired with flourless chocolate cake. It was truly something to behold.
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Bill's. Quoting Theodor's CT review: this has arrived at maturity with all pieces intact. Aromatics billow from the glass and the texture is silken and full bodied." Dark purple red color, with black raspberry and Fig Newton fruit, orange peel, cinnamon and anise seed. An outstanding showing. Cool bottle too: it was from the seconed to last vintage shipped in barrel to London and bottled there--no label, just a wax seal with 'Fonseca 1963' pressed into it. A very special experience.
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Perfectly clear, appropriately pale. Crumbly cork of course. Soft, inviting subtle nose--palate too. Just ahead of the 1977, and clearly ahead of the 70.
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This has arrived at maturity with all pieces intact. Aromatics billow from the glass and the texture is silken and full bodied. It's got good berry and raisin fruit, lots of spiciness, flowery, damp tobacco, and the spirit is nearly invisible.
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As good as any port I have ever had. Hints of red cherry and raspberry without being over the top. Flavors very subtle. Sweetness without being cloying. Just first rate.
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Incredibly youthful . Fruit driven . Dried raisins . Dark spice and plums. Poised. Balance is perfect . Fresh fruit , dark spice, florals , sweet fruit tones. Amazing delicacy, youthfulness, length.
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The 1963 Fonseca is superb; unctuously rich, beautiful blue and black fruit, a touch of lavender. Excellent depth on the palate, as befits one of the great port houses in one of the great vintages. Wonderfully dramatic and, if a bit spirity on day 1, more complete and balanced 24 hours later. It’s not necessarily a question of when this will be best, so much as a question of how you like your port. Perfect now yet with a long life ahead.
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2021 FTLOP Harvest Tour; 9/19/2021-10/2/2021 (Portgugal): Clear ruby in color with a touch of sediment in the glass. Nose of strawberry and cinnamon with a touch of spirit. Intense mouthfeel with raspberry, some spirit and some acidity. A little hot off the finish with a touch of bitterness.
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I don't drink a lot of vintage port, and part of the reason for that is that it has never really wowed me. I've never had a port which lays down a yardstick for all the others to try and reach. I've had many vintage ports dating back to the 1940s, but most have not had the X-factor that makes a wine truly memorable.
This Fonseca was different though. The nose was similar to many vintage ports I've had, and perhaps I am not quite experienced enough to understand the subtleties of it. But the palate? OMG. Unbelievably silky and smooth, fresh and light, but mouth filling and dense at the same time. That combination of intensity and agility is so rare in any wine.
This was by miles the best port I have ever tasted. My inexperience with ancient port leads me to infer that there may be a few ports which are greater, but I can't imagine there are many.
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57 years and still pouring nicely. Preferred the Dow but this served with Stilton was so beautiful pairing. Also paired with a chocolate Bundt cake and was delicious.
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A brilliant example of a brilliant vintage. Decanted for 3 hours. Soaring aromatics, medium bodied, velvet texture, the fruit built continuously in its power, the spirit a background accompaniment, never dominating. Poise. Marvellous. On the second night still showing very well, but best in one sitting I’d suggest. Not exactly a hardship.
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Very Good bordering on great port. Certainly ticks all of the boxes and gives you what you want but I would want the alcohol to be just a little less obvious via either better integration or ramping up the fruit, and for this bottle to pick up tea and more floral notes. Right now it's very good but could be mistaken for a 70 or even certain 1983's.
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One of the best ports I have had in the last couple of years. Cherry and cinnamon flavors. Absolutely balanced and not cloying. Rich and very long on the palate. Delicious port.
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Stored at Trinity College, Cambridge. Bottler not known. Clean, brown sugar nose. Not decayed. Beautifully mellow. Maybe I'd hoped for a little more complexity.
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Oh my! A wonderful duo of Fonseca 1963 and 1970. Pure bliss.
FONSECA VINTAGE PORT 1963: Initially slightly shy, eventually wonderfully mature and complex. Nose: Initially nice tertiary aromas, dry straws, dry flowers, rose pedals. Later more fruity, aromatic dark red berries, black currants, dark cherries. Palate: Mature, strong, long, rather full-bodied, spicy, silky with fully integrated silky tannins, dark (dry) fruits and berries. Finally: Wonderful, fully developed bouquet and a taste that can only be described as "hedonistic". In Finnish this would be called "Bird's milk". All but as good as the virtually perfect Graham's 1963 I tasted a while ago. Worked well with goat milk -based Brie. 98 points.
FONSECA VINTAGE PORT 1970: Initially more vibrant than the 1963 but didn't fly as high. Nose: Initially leather, oaky barn, spicy cherries, black currant jam, berry of the rowan, pine cones. Later dark berry jelly, spicy cherries, "berry of the rowan toffee", dry flowers, dry fruits. Palate: Mature, strong, long, strong, slightly "alcoholic" (22% alc.), sweeter than 1963. Later oaky toffee, spicy dry fruits. Finally: A wonderful bouquet and fruitier taste than the 1963 --- yet a tiny little bit less complex and exciting. Worked really well with Italian Cantuccini biscuits. 96 points.
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In 2009 I wrote the following TN... I wouldn't change a word tonight!
This is really lovely. Medium to pale pink; pomegranate and red currents with complex, aromatic spices and notes of vanilla and toffee. Medium bodied but flavorful with an endless finish. A tremendous port at its full maturity, but it will last for a very long time.
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Short note - dried fruit and red berries, very structured and concentrated with long finish and medium complexity, very well balanced and will probably keep this way for a while, but no need for further keeping. Outstanding quality, 93p
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1977 and 1963 Vintage Ports... (Regional Wines and Spirits, Wellington, New Zealand): Textbook hue - light tawny, and full of life. Absolutely integrated, with a wonderful herbal quality. Linear, spicy camphor nose. Sweet, tannic, really long. A superb balance of fruit and spirit. Had a slight edge on the 99 Fonseca (for my taste), being slightly riper and richer. Picked correctly as a 1963.
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This wine was way off, with a smell and taste of petrol and burnt plastic. I have had a number of bottles and each was fantastic. This was not, unfortunately.
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1963 FONSECA VINTAGE PORT- Honestly, I could not detect this being fraudulent, but after a few others immediately commented on it, I acquiesced especially since they have had much more experience with older Ports than I have; the cork was definitely old and in fact, split about 1/2 way through when pulled; the color was a deep, dark browning purple that seemed to be showing some age; the taste had lots of spicy cherry flavoured Smith Bros. Cough Drop notes and it finished with a lot of heat; interesting and begging the internal question, how many fraudulent wines have I had and did not know it?
Saturday night at The Papies (The Papies, Elizabeth St, London): A class act and a great reminder for people like us who don't drink much port what great port is capable off. This was just a top class of a wine. Very elegant , soft almost for a post, bright and open red fruited nose, nutty, cocoa feel. Just singing and in perfect harmony. Similarly the palate was well round, balanced, evolved but full of life and had a vibrant feel all along. Syill plenty of life in it but delicious now. 96-97
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WCW Twenty. Surprisingly light in color and somewhat opaque. Bouquet of liquefied coco powder, milk chocolate, chocolate liqueurs, and molasses. Graceful on the palate, showing refined textures, and superb balance. Long, honey roasted nut finish. 96-97.
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This was an Avery’s bottling. There’s just a touch of mushroom from the cork. There’s ample spirit that cuts the sweet red fruits. It is fresh and fruity with a drying finish.
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Started off very leathery / tobacco however after about 30min it turned into caramel raisins. Initial flavors have lots of acid however transitions into smooth creamy finish
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Slightly disappointing. Compared it with a third of a bottle left over from some months ago. The wine that had been opened was smoother and rounder. Maybe should open this one a day or so earlier. Slightly brownish tinge when looked at in some lights but otherwise still good colour. The nose was deep and the taste, despite the comment above was full and fruity
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Dark garnet color with a brown rim. Very complex nose of red fruit, nuts and cedar. Full body, with layers upon layers of flavor with an extremely long finish. Absolutely delicious.
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Awesome. Intense black cherry, fig, and cassis with hints of toffee. Port has the purest and most delicious fruit of all wines, and this is among the best ports.
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Capsule had been removed and the cork was waxed. I think I will do this to all my port. The cork was stained only 2/3 of the way up and no signs of seepage decanted 4 hours as part of 63, 70 ,77 vertical. Until now, the Fonseca 77 was hands down my favorite port. The flavors in the '63 were so smooth and yet dynamic: mild cherries, figs or prunes, caramel - everything worked though to the final silky finish, which lasted a long time.
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On its own it was smooth, soft tannins, colour was still good. Cannot have been that bad as when the first bottle was finished they wanted some more so we had a bottle of the Cockburn '63. That was much fuller flavoured and pushed down the score on this one
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Drank at 67 Refined nose with notes of figs, dates and christmas cake. Beautiful mature palate with fully integrated tannins. Absolutely lovely. What is not to like.
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Exceptional as always. My favorite vintage port that just keeps giving! Had with fantastic cheeses after a wonderful meal with friends. Good thing I have a few more bottles!
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House Warming Retirement Party. Been holding this about 18-20 years waiting for my retirement. It did not disappoint me. Beautiful old port. The last of my 3 bottles. To me it is drinking just right at this time. I see no reason to hold it longer if you have some, but it will not go bad anytime soon. However! the corks are falling apart, so consider recorking.
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I seldom drink Port. Perhaps a bottle or two a year. And without fail, every time I taste one of these older vintages, I'm reminded how much I like the wine. At just over 50 years of age, this thick, chocolate covered black cherry, spice box and strawberry jam filled wine hit the spot. Sweet, warm, velvety and mouth coating, it was a perfect late night surprise. Pairing it with aged Cubans late in the evening made it even better.
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Vintage Port (Fem Bord, Trondheim): Very rich and concentrated, but the acid sticks out a bit. As does the alcohol in the finish, which makes the fruit seem a bit thin.
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Proof positive that a historic producer was capable of crafting wine that was meant to stand the test of time! History in a bottle. Gifted to me, through my friend as the accidental custodian, from his deceased father's collection and with no label or markings to be able to properly identify it; other than a "196?" discernible on the top of the cork. More mysteriously, received at my 50th Birthday celebration. Not until I opened it last night, did the cork reveal that it was a 1963 Fonseca SA. The Mystery?, you might ask... I was born in 1963! As well, when choosing a vintage port to 'invest' in nearly 10 years ago...I chose a 1995 of this very bottling. Epic!
Drinks for Andrew M's 50th: Browning in colour, fairly pale. The first aroma that hits your nose is the spirityness. Initially, also spice, some leather and cigar on the nose. A clear nutty, almond element. Initially better on palate, with a mellowness not present on the nose. But this mellowness is combined with incredible fruit concentration and intensity. On palate it is difficult to believe that this is a 50 year old wine, such is its power and vigour. It has excellent structure and balance and great length, fine tannins and nuance. Every taste reveals different layers of flavour: cigars, candied cherries, walnuts, tobacco, even some savoury elements. Sweetness and alcohol are present, but not overdone. To me the strongest flavour analogy is a traditional glazed Christmas cake, baked with liberal doses of brandy, topped with candied fruit and nuts. Returning to the aromas later after some time and food, they have changed. Spirityness is in the background. The nose now matches the palate, moving more in the dried fruit direction: sultanas, redcurrants, mulberry and aromas of Christmas cake. This is what a mature Port is all about. However, it must still have 10-20 years of life ahead of it. 96.
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Was worried when one of my bottles showed low fill (upper shoulder) and a leaking cork, so a great excuse to drink one! Fortunately, except for a cork that had the consistency of a hot dog, all was fine. Leather, cinnamon, caramel and fruit still evident. Very pleasant after being decanted for a couple hours (had an initial metallic taste that went away).
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This bottle was not in the best condition - starting with the cork crumbling. I am sure the good bottles are alot better than this. Nose ahd some funk to it - not a defect but it just wouldn't air out. Good on the palate.
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Drouhin Laroze, M. Ilan, old Sauternes & Ports (JV's): Ruby in color. The nose is gorgeous with raisins and milk chocolate. Complex. On the palate, slightly sweet. Complex and easy to drink. A touch of heat. Very pretty wine still chugging along.
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Flickinger "Significant Cellar" Tasting (Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Ripe and sweet black fruit aromas with candied cherry character. Still sweeter than I expected on palate, charming and nice but a bit less nuanced than I was expecting.
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Slight bricking throughout. Nose is very expressive, with tons of mint and of a touch of greenness. Medium-full to full bodied. Very spirity on the palate; loads of mint; pipe tobacco; dry; fruit is fading. Excellent.
Opened for my 50th birthday party. Bought this 10 years ago from Sam's for $224 who got it directly from the winery. Heavily sedimented. The cork crumbled a little but not badly. Hints of orange in the brownish red color. Clearly shows the refinement and elegance that only an aged Port can. Some cedar, mulberry, currant and blackberry notes. Going strong with a nice grip on the finish. Well balanced. 98 points
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Lighter than I would have expected, drank over 4-5 days. Still a bit sweet and delicate, raisined fruit, cherry, some heat on the finish. Opened 'cause there was a substatial leak, figured better now than later. Slight licorish note mixed with milk chocolate and fruit on the finish.
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From memory ... the second bottle I've had of this wine, and both bottles were absolutely exquisite. This bottle had a mid-neck fill and the capsule was fully intact. Cork came out mostly in one piece. Opened with a bottle of 1963 Graham. The Graham was excellent, but the Fonseca was in a different league. Perfectly integrated and complex with no heat and tons of fresh fruit along with some leather, tobacco, cocao and spice. Not too sweet and a long finish. Did I mention the fruit? I've got one more bottle of the same provenance waiting for another special occasion. I'm sure it will keep for many more years.
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Mature and Maturing Bordeaux (Oslo): Not right. Spirity, volatile, rather thin fruit. Had some qualities, would have scored in the low to might eighties. Knowning how wonderful this could be, that would not be fair.
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Opened for our 5th year anniversary. Gorgeous light ruby color that was much clearer than I expected. Nose hit first with hot sweet volatiles and deep dried cherry fruit. Palate scotch bonnet, black pepper, and more dried cherry and blackberry, arome with hints of licorice and chocolate, and long finish with more cherry and brown butter. Packing remarkable fruit and alcohol at this stage with rich body, showing a substantial coating and legs on glass. Truly a privilege to drink this elegant wine and a memorable way to mark our day.
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Hot damn! Coffee (toffee?), chocolate, dark fruit, red fruit. It's all here. Sweet but still nice acidity. Aged Port can really be something else when you get a bottle in perfect condition.
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Dinner Chez Spohn (Vancouver, BC): Tasted blind – double decanted and served three hours later. I knew this was a 60s Port from a previous conversation that Bill and I had, but I couldn’t remember the exact vintage or from which house. This had a beautiful colour; medium red with some bricking throughout, but much more youthful that I would have expected from a Port from the 60s. The nose was warm and rich with notes of baked cherries and plums, wood, Christmas cake spice and hints of tobacco. These flavours carried onto the palate with great intensity and beautiful balance. A complex, deep and distinctive wine with a sweet and extremely long finish. Easily the best port I’ve ever had and a very special treat to taste a wine of this calibre. This is drinking so well yet has decades of life ahead of it. Exceptional.
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A Weekend in Excess; 1/20/2012-1/21/2012 (Trondheim, Norway): Quite dark with a watery brim; warm and primary smell; raisins and dark berries in combination, good freshness, moderately sweet.. Oporto bottled. Wonderful fill, good cork. Tawnyish color; smells of herbs, caramel and spices – what an incredible and complex nose! The mouth reiterates the smell, except for even more structure and toughness than I expected, combined with warmth and elegance. Long, intense, and elegant - no sign of an alcoholic finish.
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Opened after finishing up a bottle of 55 Taylor. This wine is a baby in comparison. Great nose of red fruits and alcohol not overly evident, as compared to the Taylor. Great cassis, wood, plum flavors. Very soft and impressively balanced. It is so yourthful and obviously decades of future ahead. Very long sweet finish that didn't want to quit.
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This was the topping of a wonderful evening of GREAT friends - a bunch of us old folks - great food and even greater wine. This was my WOTN that Jay brought - interesting that the bottles had their original price stickers of $15.99. This port is still a baby at 47 - no bricking and still very dark ruby in the glass offering a nose of cherries, berries,caramel,coffee and other things that were difficult for me to identify - In the mouth there were the flavors of the nose plus a momentary hint of alcohol and then the taste and mouth feel of cotton candy - almost ethereal - which continued into a finish that lasted forever and then some. I have had some older Fonsecas dating into the 20's but this was the most memorable.
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8 Grand Echezeaux, Leflaive, 63/83 Fonseca, 1885 Blandy's: This was interesting. I thought a 92 or 94. It tasted as though it was still shut down. Some thought it was the 9 hour decant that did it, but I am not sure as it didn't tasted old or oxidized. Just very tight. Chocolate covered raspberries on the nose. Great texture. Long finish with a slight streak of heat. Very nice, but felt like it was closed.
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No bricking, virtually no fading, no sign of 47 years at all, easily could pass visually for a much younger wine. Gorgeous nose of light sweet red fruits (currants, berries?), some figs, a touch of burnt sugar, and toffee. In the mouth, the notes are all there along with gentle spiced tea and a soft alcohol warmth. Long finish. Table filled with ooohs and aaahs. If I had another, I’d hold it for at least five more years, just to see what happens since I see no risk of a downturn. Pure pleasure, an absolutely wonderful aged port experience to top off a great evening.
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This is really lovely. Medium to pale pink; pomegranate and red currents with complex, aromatic spices and notes of vanilla and toffee. Medium bodied but flavorful with an endless finish. A tremendous port at its full maturity, but it will last for a very long time.
(Update: Still the same in March 2019)
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From high shoulder-fill bottle. Decanted to strain sediment only. Nose suprisingly closed at first. Tongue coating, honeyed fruits. Extraordinary finish. Color dissolving to translucency at rim. Strong on all counts.
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Beautiful dark ruby with translucent rim. Bouquet of maple syrup and red fruit. Smooth, silky with moderate heat. Nice complexity with a long finish. Great wine.
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Port at Roy's: Big fruity nose. Sweet red fruit. Looks like it could be an '83 or '85. Medium tannins, fully body. Well integrated alcohol, warm and spicy. Mint and chocolate on the palate. Lots of fruit, complex, big structure and delicious.
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Decanted at 11:30 am for a 4:30 Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.
Deep ruby red in the decanter - brick-like in intensity, but with more scarlet and less rust to the color. In the glass it took on a very slight pinkish hue but was still deeply ruby in the center of the glass. The nose was dominated by ripe strawberries and stewed (red) fruits, but it was backed up by a smokey note that provided contrast.
The stewed fruits carried over into the mouth - a blend of strawberry jam, ripe raspberries, and stewed currants or cranberries. It displayed a strong structure, but not overt tannins. It was very smooth, with just a little bit of heat to remind you that it is an alcoholic drink.
The finish was unremarkable, noting only a little grape stem and heat. It was smooth and of moderate length.
At +7 hours, the taste took on some chocolate and sweet cherry notes. It felt like this was the sweet spot where it was showing best. Very silky in the mouth. Sweet without being cloying, and complex without being confusing. Each sip left us wanting another, but without causing cravings. All-in-all superb.
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I brought this one to the BWE convention at Table 8 because I think the group has little experience with Port. The '63 Fonseca is drinking perfectly now; mellow, bursting with red cherry fruit, not too spirity. Unlike most Ports, a second (or third) glass is welcome.
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Taylor vs Fonseca @ The Warwick (NYC): Ruby center, garnet rim. Slightly darker than the companion 1963. A bit more open. Berries, chocolate. More complexity; nice palate impact. Smooth, silky finish. More feminine than its companion. Fonseca? CORRECT.
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Day after from memory. I've had this bottle in my personal possession for almost 20 years, mostly cellared in reasonably ideal condition. My hopes were running high. The cork was completely saturated and fell apart during the opening process. I had to gently try to extract the cork's bottom and then strain the wine through cheese cloth to remove the fragments. The operation was a success. First thing I noticed was the absolutely beautiful color: a vibrant, almost twinkling translucent pink shot through with purple highlights. The nose and flavors were exquisite. I should have written down my impressions but of course I didn't so I won't try to fake it now. What I remember most was the beautiful mature fruit, soft and delicate texture, and the finish, which was redolent of a delicious vanilla flavor. We drank it with two large slabs of Stilton procured from different sources: one sharp and assertive, the other more creamy. The aggressive saltiness of the cheese was a perfect foil for the Port-no wonder this is a classic match. However, I preferred the creamier styled Stilton with the wine. Nothing to indicate this was running out of steam other than the condition of the cork.
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Tasted three times in past several years, including a horizontal of '63s at dinner with cheese in June 2004. This has consistently shown itself to be the finest of the '63s and one of the finest ports I have ever tasted. Full fruit, almost jammy, rich and long finish with no sharpness. This is very close to a perfect port.
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Fun in the Mountains (Beaver Creek): This is one of my all time favorite ports, and this bottle was great. Thanks to Jerry at Tramonte for pulling this out of his personal cellar.
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MI Wine Club Ultracollectible Dinner (Seattle, WA, USA): This was an unreal port. Spirit, coffee, lilac, and violet, oh my! This is amazingly smooth, complex and long. Hurt me! Served with molten chocolate cake, another ultimate match.
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2/27/2024 - lepetitchateau wrote: 96 Points
Bright, unctuous attack with lovely vibrancy and length. This has real harmony.
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11/9/2023 - def Likes this wine: 98 Points
drinking history. it was excellent and lived up to the hype. wonderful nose and long finish.
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11/8/2023 - Alpine Likes this wine: 97 Points
The wine of the night at the first Wednesday club tasting at the Crossing Restaurant in Clayton… Unbelievably outstanding some thought it was a 40 year old tawny port… But in reality, it was a 60 year old, vintage port, paired with flourless chocolate cake. It was truly something to behold.
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11/1/2023 - Neecies Likes this wine: 99 Points
Bill's. Quoting Theodor's CT review: this has arrived at maturity with all pieces intact. Aromatics billow from the glass and the texture is silken and full bodied." Dark purple red color, with black raspberry and Fig Newton fruit, orange peel, cinnamon and anise seed. An outstanding showing. Cool bottle too: it was from the seconed to last vintage shipped in barrel to London and bottled there--no label, just a wax seal with 'Fonseca 1963' pressed into it. A very special experience.
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10/27/2023 - rwpalmer wrote: 95 Points
Perfectly clear, appropriately pale. Crumbly cork of course. Soft, inviting subtle nose--palate too. Just ahead of the 1977, and clearly ahead of the 70.
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8/5/2023 - andtheodor wrote: 95 Points
This has arrived at maturity with all pieces intact. Aromatics billow from the glass and the texture is silken and full bodied. It's got good berry and raisin fruit, lots of spiciness, flowery, damp tobacco, and the spirit is nearly invisible.
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3/26/2023 - vindictive wrote:
Excellent and robust port, still youthful. Long life remaining
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2/28/2023 - Rogershkg wrote: 93 Points
Really good port, whether its better than others?
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7/11/2022 - RockinCabs wrote: flawed
This bottle was not 100%. A bit too much seepage, and the fruit was a bit marred.
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4/24/2022 - Boone's Farm Likes this wine: 96 Points
As good as any port I have ever had. Hints of red cherry and raspberry without being over the top. Flavors very subtle. Sweetness without being cloying. Just first rate.
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3/25/2022 - lepetitchateau wrote: 97 Points
So good... brilliant wine, so much presence and depth, did not want this wine to end!
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3/10/2022 - Vini Ciclismo Likes this wine: 97 Points
Incredibly youthful . Fruit driven . Dried raisins . Dark spice and plums. Poised. Balance is perfect . Fresh fruit , dark spice, florals , sweet fruit tones.
Amazing delicacy, youthfulness, length.
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1/16/2022 - englishman's claret wrote:
Alas, a poor example that fails to reach the heights of correct bottles.
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12/4/2021 - Ralph_ wrote: flawed
corked
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11/16/2021 - englishman's claret wrote: 96 Points
The 1963 Fonseca is superb; unctuously rich, beautiful blue and black fruit, a touch of lavender. Excellent depth on the palate, as befits one of the great port houses in one of the great vintages. Wonderfully dramatic and, if a bit spirity on day 1, more complete and balanced 24 hours later. It’s not necessarily a question of when this will be best, so much as a question of how you like your port. Perfect now yet with a long life ahead.
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9/27/2021 - theportguy wrote: 92 Points
2021 FTLOP Harvest Tour; 9/19/2021-10/2/2021 (Portgugal): Clear ruby in color with a touch of sediment in the glass. Nose of strawberry and cinnamon with a touch of spirit. Intense mouthfeel with raspberry, some spirit and some acidity. A little hot off the finish with a touch of bitterness.
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9/25/2021 - NewFrenchClaret Likes this wine: 98 Points
I don't drink a lot of vintage port, and part of the reason for that is that it has never really wowed me. I've never had a port which lays down a yardstick for all the others to try and reach. I've had many vintage ports dating back to the 1940s, but most have not had the X-factor that makes a wine truly memorable.
This Fonseca was different though. The nose was similar to many vintage ports I've had, and perhaps I am not quite experienced enough to understand the subtleties of it. But the palate? OMG. Unbelievably silky and smooth, fresh and light, but mouth filling and dense at the same time. That combination of intensity and agility is so rare in any wine.
This was by miles the best port I have ever tasted. My inexperience with ancient port leads me to infer that there may be a few ports which are greater, but I can't imagine there are many.
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6/5/2021 - veniceslug1 Likes this wine:
Still drinking well and very elegant. Long delicate finish.
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5/8/2021 - RayOB Likes this wine: 96 Points
Drank in London
Refined and beautiful
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1/17/2021 - chuckos77 Likes this wine: 90 Points
57 years and still pouring nicely. Preferred the Dow but this served with Stilton was so beautiful pairing. Also paired with a chocolate Bundt cake and was delicious.
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12/19/2020 - Formerwinemaker Likes this wine: 97 Points
A brilliant example of a brilliant vintage. Decanted for 3 hours. Soaring aromatics, medium bodied, velvet texture, the fruit built continuously in its power, the spirit a background accompaniment, never dominating. Poise. Marvellous. On the second night still showing very well, but best in one sitting I’d suggest. Not exactly a hardship.
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10/30/2020 - Trent Walker wrote: 95 Points
Very Good bordering on great port. Certainly ticks all of the boxes and gives you what you want but I would want the alcohol to be just a little less obvious via either better integration or ramping up the fruit, and for this bottle to pick up tea and more floral notes. Right now it's very good but could be mistaken for a 70 or even certain 1983's.
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8/10/2020 - Boone's Farm Likes this wine: 95 Points
One of the best ports I have had in the last couple of years. Cherry and cinnamon flavors. Absolutely balanced and not cloying. Rich and very long on the palate. Delicious port.
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7/15/2020 - europat55 wrote: 92 Points
Nose: 91 Palate: 93
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5/14/2020 - Verb wrote: flawed
corked and undrinkable
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1/18/2020 - rwpalmer wrote: 93 Points
Stored at Trinity College, Cambridge. Bottler not known. Clean, brown sugar nose. Not decayed. Beautifully mellow. Maybe I'd hoped for a little more complexity.
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9/20/2019 - jhw425 wrote: 97 Points
The best port. Perfect bottle and beautiful color. I’m not sure this isn’t still on the young end...
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4/5/2019 - Jyri Tynkkynen Likes this wine: 98 Points
Oh my! A wonderful duo of Fonseca 1963 and 1970. Pure bliss.
FONSECA VINTAGE PORT 1963: Initially slightly shy, eventually wonderfully mature and complex.
Nose: Initially nice tertiary aromas, dry straws, dry flowers, rose pedals. Later more fruity, aromatic dark red berries, black currants, dark cherries.
Palate: Mature, strong, long, rather full-bodied, spicy, silky with fully integrated silky tannins, dark (dry) fruits and berries.
Finally: Wonderful, fully developed bouquet and a taste that can only be described as "hedonistic". In Finnish this would be called "Bird's milk".
All but as good as the virtually perfect Graham's 1963 I tasted a while ago. Worked well with goat milk -based Brie.
98 points.
FONSECA VINTAGE PORT 1970: Initially more vibrant than the 1963 but didn't fly as high.
Nose: Initially leather, oaky barn, spicy cherries, black currant jam, berry of the rowan, pine cones. Later dark berry jelly, spicy cherries, "berry of the rowan toffee", dry flowers, dry fruits.
Palate: Mature, strong, long, strong, slightly "alcoholic" (22% alc.), sweeter than 1963. Later oaky toffee, spicy dry fruits.
Finally: A wonderful bouquet and fruitier taste than the 1963 --- yet a tiny little bit less complex and exciting.
Worked really well with Italian Cantuccini biscuits.
96 points.
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3/22/2019 - Rogershkg wrote: 95 Points
Superb, bottle gone with company that "doesn't drink port". Plenty of fruit but not heavy and mild alcohol level
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3/6/2019 - KPB Likes this wine: 96 Points
In 2009 I wrote the following TN... I wouldn't change a word tonight!
This is really lovely. Medium to pale pink; pomegranate and red currents with complex, aromatic spices and notes of vanilla and toffee. Medium bodied but flavorful with an endless finish. A tremendous port at its full maturity, but it will last for a very long time.
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1/1/2019 - Ebrim Likes this wine: 93 Points
Short note - dried fruit and red berries, very structured and concentrated with long finish and medium complexity, very well balanced and will probably keep this way for a while, but no need for further keeping. Outstanding quality, 93p
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12/10/2018 - Bruce 1er wrote: 95 Points
Superb. Rich, complex, balanced, with finesse. With a very long finish.
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12/7/2018 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
A Birthday Celebration (Taste 222 - Chicago IL): Popped, decanted and poured. Dried red cherry with cherry pie notes. Good weight, but even better length and vibrant textures.
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5/24/2018 - Marc wrote: 98 Points
1977 and 1963 Vintage Ports... (Regional Wines and Spirits, Wellington, New Zealand): Textbook hue - light tawny, and full of life. Absolutely integrated, with a wonderful herbal quality. Linear, spicy camphor nose. Sweet, tannic, really long. A superb balance of fruit and spirit. Had a slight edge on the 99 Fonseca (for my taste), being slightly riper and richer. Picked correctly as a 1963.
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11/12/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 93 Points
Chicago Wine Flock...Jim is Playin' Those Wine Games ("Chateau La Grange" - La Grange IL): Open and decanted for 3-4 hours before serving. Both candied cherry and macerated cherry come through nicely. Charming spice and earth hints. Very texturally interesting, very good balance and length, while also wonderfully elegant.
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11/11/2017 - lifebreath wrote: flawed
This wine was way off, with a smell and taste of petrol and burnt plastic. I have had a number of bottles and each was fantastic. This was not, unfortunately.
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6/11/2017 - Blake Brown wrote: flawed
1963 FONSECA VINTAGE PORT- Honestly, I could not detect this being fraudulent, but after a few others immediately commented on it, I acquiesced especially since they have had much more experience with older Ports than I have; the cork was definitely old and in fact, split about 1/2 way through when pulled; the color was a deep, dark browning purple that seemed to be showing some age; the taste had lots of spicy cherry flavoured Smith Bros. Cough Drop notes and it finished with a lot of heat; interesting and begging the internal question, how many fraudulent wines have I had and did not know it?
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5/29/2017 - Rogershkg Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still plentyof life left in it. Felt it had a slightly bitter upper palate, maybe just the tannins still there
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5/13/2017 - Papies wrote: 96 Points
Saturday night at The Papies (The Papies, Elizabeth St, London): A class act and a great reminder for people like us who don't drink much port what great port is capable off. This was just a top class of a wine. Very elegant , soft almost for a post, bright and open red fruited nose, nutty, cocoa feel. Just singing and in perfect harmony. Similarly the palate was well round, balanced, evolved but full of life and had a vibrant feel all along. Syill plenty of life in it but delicious now. 96-97
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3/7/2017 - Motz wrote: 97 Points
WCW Twenty. Surprisingly light in color and somewhat opaque. Bouquet of liquefied coco powder, milk chocolate, chocolate liqueurs, and molasses. Graceful on the palate, showing refined textures, and superb balance. Long, honey roasted nut finish. 96-97.
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2/13/2017 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
This was an Avery’s bottling. There’s just a touch of mushroom from the cork. There’s ample spirit that cuts the sweet red fruits. It is fresh and fruity with a drying finish.
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2/5/2017 - lovanc@outlook.com wrote:
Started off very leathery / tobacco however after about 30min it turned into caramel raisins. Initial flavors have lots of acid however transitions into smooth creamy finish
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1/23/2017 - Rogershkg Likes this wine: 91 Points
Slightly disappointing. Compared it with a third of a bottle left over from some months ago. The wine that had been opened was smoother and rounder. Maybe should open this one a day or so earlier. Slightly brownish tinge when looked at in some lights but otherwise still good colour. The nose was deep and the taste, despite the comment above was full and fruity
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11/25/2016 - jfpwine Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dark garnet color with a brown rim. Very complex nose of red fruit, nuts and cedar. Full body, with layers upon layers of flavor with an extremely long finish. Absolutely delicious.
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11/4/2016 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 98 Points
Awesome. Intense black cherry, fig, and cassis with hints of toffee. Port has the purest and most delicious fruit of all wines, and this is among the best ports.
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10/7/2016 - patmandu0 Likes this wine: 99 Points
Capsule had been removed and the cork was waxed. I think I will do this to all my port. The cork was stained only 2/3 of the way up and no signs of seepage decanted 4 hours as part of 63, 70 ,77 vertical. Until now, the Fonseca 77 was hands down my favorite port. The flavors in the '63 were so smooth and yet dynamic: mild cherries, figs or prunes, caramel - everything worked though to the final silky finish, which lasted a long time.
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9/2/2016 - Rogershkg wrote: 91 Points
On its own it was smooth, soft tannins, colour was still good. Cannot have been that bad as when the first bottle was finished they wanted some more so we had a bottle of the Cockburn '63. That was much fuller flavoured and pushed down the score on this one
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6/19/2016 - RayOB Likes this wine: 98 Points
Drank at 67
Refined nose with notes of figs, dates and christmas cake. Beautiful mature palate with fully integrated tannins. Absolutely lovely. What is not to like.
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5/28/2016 - lifebreath wrote: 98 Points
Exceptional as always. My favorite vintage port that just keeps giving! Had with fantastic cheeses after a wonderful meal with friends. Good thing I have a few more bottles!
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3/25/2016 - EhrlichDY wrote: 95 Points
Lunch at Black Salt with 1999 Fourrier Griotte, 1999 Mugneret Gibourg Ruchottes, NV Selosse Rose, 1999 Taittinger CdC Rose, 59 Calon Segur and more (Black Salt, Washington DC): The color is still quite dark with some fading pinkish hue on the edges. Jeff Leve nailed the flavor of this with chocolate covered cherries. The port is almost weightless on the palate but the has great depth of flavor with notes of baking spices, kirsch and burnt sugar. The aroma of the wine is surprisingly earthy. The port is at apogee or on a gentle decline. Drink up.
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2/18/2016 - Charogers Likes this wine: 97 Points
Wow. Still so energetic. Fantastic fun. We had an 85 Lafite and a 96 mouton before it and they didn't make this grade. Tremendous.
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1/30/2016 - stevenc.rees@gmail.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
House Warming Retirement Party. Been holding this about 18-20 years waiting for my retirement. It did not disappoint me. Beautiful old port. The last of my 3 bottles. To me it is drinking just right at this time. I see no reason to hold it longer if you have some, but it will not go bad anytime soon. However! the corks are falling apart, so consider recorking.
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1/26/2016 - BradE wrote:
1969 and 1986 Cali Lunch: Nectar of the gods, and this has always been one of my favorite ports.
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12/18/2015 - Rogershkg Likes this wine: 94 Points
If you like Port get hold of some of this. Really good, drinking beautifully, mellow but lots of life still. Colour is vivid
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11/26/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
A solid, fully mature Port with waves of chocolate covered cherries, licorice, spice and nutty aromatics. The fruit is sweet, lush, warm and spicy.
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11/1/2015 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for 5 hrs. Light caramel color, good nose, spice, and good finish.
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3/17/2015 - Herb K wrote:
GORGEOUS!
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2/9/2015 - Biglama Likes this wine: 93 Points
blijft een aparte ervaring, duidelijk ouderdom, toch nog krachtig en prima drinkbaar
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12/12/2014 - europat55 wrote: flawed
1963 Ports: Great nose, but weird palate. Flawed?
My #9, Group's #9 (103 pts). Tasted blind.
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12/12/2014 - europat55 wrote: 93 Points
1963 Ports: Nose: B++/A-. Palate: A.
My #6, Group's #7 (79 pts). Tasted blind.
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11/30/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 97 Points
I seldom drink Port. Perhaps a bottle or two a year. And without fail, every time I taste one of these older vintages, I'm reminded how much I like the wine. At just over 50 years of age, this thick, chocolate covered black cherry, spice box and strawberry jam filled wine hit the spot. Sweet, warm, velvety and mouth coating, it was a perfect late night surprise. Pairing it with aged Cubans late in the evening made it even better.
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11/16/2014 - sphBacchus wrote: 96 Points
just wonderful - wotn for a 50th birthday celebration
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11/8/2014 - KenPlace wrote: 89 Points
Somewhat thin. More of a mix between a tawny and a cognac. Did not impress. Off bottle based on everybody else's comments.
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9/7/2014 - theb wrote: 98 Points
beautiful and great quality balance stunning perfect now the 1970 i think could outlive the 63 maybe but the 70 is not as soft as the 63 or 45 symon b
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8/13/2014 - PortFanatic wrote: 96 Points
Spectacular!
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3/1/2014 - EndreS wrote:
Vintage Port (Fem Bord, Trondheim): Very rich and concentrated, but the acid sticks out a bit. As does the alcohol in the finish, which makes the fruit seem a bit thin.
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3/1/2014 - LWI wrote: 92 Points
A Portnight (Fem Bord, Trondheim): Long, fine finish. Not overly complex, though.
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2/15/2014 - golfwine Likes this wine: 95 Points
Proof positive that a historic producer was capable of crafting wine that was meant to stand the test of time! History in a bottle.
Gifted to me, through my friend as the accidental custodian, from his deceased father's collection and with no label or markings to be able to properly identify it; other than a "196?" discernible on the top of the cork. More mysteriously, received at my 50th Birthday celebration. Not until I opened it last night, did the cork reveal that it was a 1963 Fonseca SA. The Mystery?, you might ask...
I was born in 1963! As well, when choosing a vintage port to 'invest' in nearly 10 years ago...I chose a 1995 of this very bottling. Epic!
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2/6/2014 - HowardNZ Likes this wine: 96 Points
Drinks for Andrew M's 50th: Browning in colour, fairly pale. The first aroma that hits your nose is the spirityness. Initially, also spice, some leather and cigar on the nose. A clear nutty, almond element. Initially better on palate, with a mellowness not present on the nose. But this mellowness is combined with incredible fruit concentration and intensity. On palate it is difficult to believe that this is a 50 year old wine, such is its power and vigour. It has excellent structure and balance and great length, fine tannins and nuance. Every taste reveals different layers of flavour: cigars, candied cherries, walnuts, tobacco, even some savoury elements. Sweetness and alcohol are present, but not overdone. To me the strongest flavour analogy is a traditional glazed Christmas cake, baked with liberal doses of brandy, topped with candied fruit and nuts. Returning to the aromas later after some time and food, they have changed. Spirityness is in the background. The nose now matches the palate, moving more in the dried fruit direction: sultanas, redcurrants, mulberry and aromas of Christmas cake. This is what a mature Port is all about. However, it must still have 10-20 years of life ahead of it. 96.
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1/12/2014 - smcg Likes this wine: 94 Points
Was worried when one of my bottles showed low fill (upper shoulder) and a leaking cork, so a great excuse to drink one! Fortunately, except for a cork that had the consistency of a hot dog, all was fine.
Leather, cinnamon, caramel and fruit still evident. Very pleasant after being decanted for a couple hours (had an initial metallic taste that went away).
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12/22/2013 - Forest Creek wrote: 96 Points
Opened to a beautiful bouquet that permeated my space. Gorgeous ruby color. Still has years ahead of it. Classic vintage port flavors.
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11/3/2013 - Flavito wrote:
Very late, and too many bottles, so hard to judge. Tasted great, but I was really knocked out.
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11/1/2013 - robertek wrote: 91 Points
This bottle was not in the best condition - starting with the cork crumbling. I am sure the good bottles are alot better than this. Nose ahd some funk to it - not a defect but it just wouldn't air out. Good on the palate.
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9/12/2013 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 95 Points
Drouhin Laroze, M. Ilan, old Sauternes & Ports (JV's): Ruby in color. The nose is gorgeous with raisins and milk chocolate. Complex. On the palate, slightly sweet. Complex and easy to drink. A touch of heat. Very pretty wine still chugging along.
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8/30/2013 - drbdorfman wrote: 99 Points
Holy crap!
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5/18/2013 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Flickinger "Significant Cellar" Tasting (Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Ripe and sweet black fruit aromas with candied cherry character. Still sweeter than I expected on palate, charming and nice but a bit less nuanced than I was expecting.
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5/18/2013 - acyso wrote: 93 Points
"A Significant Cellar" tasting at Flickinger (Chicago, IL): Perhaps a bit minty from the spirit on the nose. Quite sweet and some light red fruits showing through. Very pleasant.
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5/10/2013 - grafstrb wrote:
Burgundy Tasting (JBaker's in York): -- double-decanted before the event --
-- tasted a couple pours blind --
Slight bricking throughout. Nose is very expressive, with tons of mint and of a touch of greenness. Medium-full to full bodied. Very spirity on the palate; loads of mint; pipe tobacco; dry; fruit is fading. Excellent.
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4/27/2013 - Vino Me wrote: 98 Points
Opened for my 50th birthday party. Bought this 10 years ago from Sam's for $224 who got it directly from the winery. Heavily sedimented. The cork crumbled a little but not badly. Hints of orange in the brownish red color. Clearly shows the refinement and elegance that only an aged Port can. Some cedar, mulberry, currant and blackberry notes. Going strong with a nice grip on the finish. Well balanced. 98 points
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2/11/2013 - Captain Haddock wrote: 90 Points
Lighter than I expected, quite spirity, perhaps past its best. Still very enjoyable, but I missed a little fruit and richness.
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1/31/2013 - puppetclause wrote:
Lighter than I would have expected, drank over 4-5 days. Still a bit sweet and delicate, raisined fruit, cherry, some heat on the finish. Opened 'cause there was a substatial leak, figured better now than later. Slight licorish note mixed with milk chocolate and fruit on the finish.
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1/3/2013 - LWI wrote: 96 Points
A masculine but complex, refined and structured version of this one. A little bit hot on the finish
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11/3/2012 - lifebreath Likes this wine: 97 Points
From memory ... the second bottle I've had of this wine, and both bottles were absolutely exquisite. This bottle had a mid-neck fill and the capsule was fully intact. Cork came out mostly in one piece. Opened with a bottle of 1963 Graham. The Graham was excellent, but the Fonseca was in a different league. Perfectly integrated and complex with no heat and tons of fresh fruit along with some leather, tobacco, cocao and spice. Not too sweet and a long finish. Did I mention the fruit? I've got one more bottle of the same provenance waiting for another special occasion. I'm sure it will keep for many more years.
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10/19/2012 - LWI wrote: flawed
Mature and Maturing Bordeaux (Oslo): Not right. Spirity, volatile, rather thin fruit. Had some qualities, would have scored in the low to might eighties. Knowning how wonderful this could be, that would not be fair.
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10/3/2012 - watskyej wrote: 97 Points
Opened for our 5th year anniversary. Gorgeous light ruby color that was much clearer than I expected. Nose hit first with hot sweet volatiles and deep dried cherry fruit. Palate scotch bonnet, black pepper, and more dried cherry and blackberry, arome with hints of licorice and chocolate, and long finish with more cherry and brown butter. Packing remarkable fruit and alcohol at this stage with rich body, showing a substantial coating and legs on glass. Truly a privilege to drink this elegant wine and a memorable way to mark our day.
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8/4/2012 - jrobs7777 wrote:
Hot damn! Coffee (toffee?), chocolate, dark fruit, red fruit. It's all here. Sweet but still nice acidity. Aged Port can really be something else when you get a bottle in perfect condition.
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3/17/2012 - godx wrote: 96 Points
Dinner Chez Spohn (Vancouver, BC): Tasted blind – double decanted and served three hours later. I knew this was a 60s Port from a previous conversation that Bill and I had, but I couldn’t remember the exact vintage or from which house. This had a beautiful colour; medium red with some bricking throughout, but much more youthful that I would have expected from a Port from the 60s. The nose was warm and rich with notes of baked cherries and plums, wood, Christmas cake spice and hints of tobacco. These flavours carried onto the palate with great intensity and beautiful balance. A complex, deep and distinctive wine with a sweet and extremely long finish. Easily the best port I’ve ever had and a very special treat to taste a wine of this calibre. This is drinking so well yet has decades of life ahead of it. Exceptional.
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1/20/2012 - LWI wrote: 97 Points
A Weekend in Excess; 1/20/2012-1/21/2012 (Trondheim, Norway): Quite dark with a watery brim; warm and primary smell; raisins and dark berries in combination, good freshness, moderately sweet.. Oporto bottled. Wonderful fill, good cork. Tawnyish color; smells of herbs, caramel and spices – what an incredible and complex nose! The mouth reiterates the smell, except for even more structure and toughness than I expected, combined with warmth and elegance. Long, intense, and elegant - no sign of an alcoholic finish.
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7/21/2011 - rnellans wrote: 97 Points
Opened after finishing up a bottle of 55 Taylor. This wine is a baby in comparison. Great nose of red fruits and alcohol not overly evident, as compared to the Taylor. Great cassis, wood, plum flavors. Very soft and impressively balanced. It is so yourthful and obviously decades of future ahead. Very long sweet finish that didn't want to quit.
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8/12/2010 - elliotgl wrote: 97 Points
This was the topping of a wonderful evening of GREAT friends - a bunch of us old folks - great food and even greater wine. This was my WOTN that Jay brought - interesting that the bottles had their original price stickers of $15.99. This port is still a baby at 47 - no bricking and still very dark ruby in the glass offering a nose of cherries, berries,caramel,coffee and other things that were difficult for me to identify - In the mouth there were the flavors of the nose plus a momentary hint of alcohol and then the taste and mouth feel of cotton candy - almost ethereal - which continued into a finish that lasted forever and then some. I have had some older Fonsecas dating into the 20's but this was the most memorable.
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5/28/2010 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 90 Points
8 Grand Echezeaux, Leflaive, 63/83 Fonseca, 1885 Blandy's: This was interesting. I thought a 92 or 94. It tasted as though it was still shut down. Some thought it was the 9 hour decant that did it, but I am not sure as it didn't tasted old or oxidized. Just very tight. Chocolate covered raspberries on the nose. Great texture. Long finish with a slight streak of heat. Very nice, but felt like it was closed.
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5/19/2010 - BradE wrote:
Beautiful, and as always in well stored bottles is the WOTF.
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4/24/2010 - ASG24 wrote:
No bricking, virtually no fading, no sign of 47 years at all, easily could pass visually for a much younger wine. Gorgeous nose of light sweet red fruits (currants, berries?), some figs, a touch of burnt sugar, and toffee. In the mouth, the notes are all there along with gentle spiced tea and a soft alcohol warmth. Long finish. Table filled with ooohs and aaahs. If I had another, I’d hold it for at least five more years, just to see what happens since I see no risk of a downturn. Pure pleasure, an absolutely wonderful aged port experience to top off a great evening.
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11/14/2009 - KPB wrote: 96 Points
This is really lovely. Medium to pale pink; pomegranate and red currents with complex, aromatic spices and notes of vanilla and toffee. Medium bodied but flavorful with an endless finish. A tremendous port at its full maturity, but it will last for a very long time.
(Update: Still the same in March 2019)
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11/3/2009 - elbosco wrote: 96 Points
From high shoulder-fill bottle. Decanted to strain sediment only. Nose suprisingly closed at first. Tongue coating, honeyed fruits. Extraordinary finish. Color dissolving to translucency at rim. Strong on all counts.
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3/21/2009 - moutondoc wrote: 97 Points
Notes of cigar and burnt cherry tar
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3/1/2009 - rnellans wrote: 95 Points
Beautiful dark ruby with translucent rim. Bouquet of maple syrup and red fruit. Smooth, silky with moderate heat. Nice complexity with a long finish. Great wine.
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12/26/2008 - kris.h wrote:
Port at Roy's: Big fruity nose. Sweet red fruit. Looks like it could be an '83 or '85. Medium tannins, fully body. Well integrated alcohol, warm and spicy. Mint and chocolate on the palate. Lots of fruit, complex, big structure and delicious.
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11/27/2008 - gelliott wrote:
Decanted at 11:30 am for a 4:30 Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.
Deep ruby red in the decanter - brick-like in intensity, but with more scarlet and less rust to the color. In the glass it took on a very slight pinkish hue but was still deeply ruby in the center of the glass. The nose was dominated by ripe strawberries and stewed (red) fruits, but it was backed up by a smokey note that provided contrast.
The stewed fruits carried over into the mouth - a blend of strawberry jam, ripe raspberries, and stewed currants or cranberries. It displayed a strong structure, but not overt tannins. It was very smooth, with just a little bit of heat to remind you that it is an alcoholic drink.
The finish was unremarkable, noting only a little grape stem and heat. It was smooth and of moderate length.
At +7 hours, the taste took on some chocolate and sweet cherry notes. It felt like this was the sweet spot where it was showing best. Very silky in the mouth. Sweet without being cloying, and complex without being confusing. Each sip left us wanting another, but without causing cravings. All-in-all superb.
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10/9/2008 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 96 Points
Gourmet Dinner with Derek Smedley MW (Oxford and Cambridge Club, Pall Mall, London): Paired with Taylor 1963. Magnificent, rich and exotic, figs and plums, quintessential Fonseca, outclasses the Taylor.
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3/8/2008 - sdr wrote: 93 Points
I brought this one to the BWE convention at Table 8 because I think the group has little experience with Port. The '63 Fonseca is drinking perfectly now; mellow, bursting with red cherry fruit, not too spirity. Unlike most Ports, a second (or third) glass is welcome.
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2/11/2008 - stenoman2 wrote: 97 Points
The finest port I have ever tasted. Given the fact that cellaring was mediocre at best the wine held up great.
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12/6/2007 - mdefreitas wrote: 93 Points
Taylor vs Fonseca @ The Warwick (NYC): Ruby center, garnet rim. Slightly darker than the companion 1963. A bit more open. Berries, chocolate. More complexity; nice palate impact. Smooth, silky finish. More feminine than its companion. Fonseca? CORRECT.
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4/28/2007 - BradE wrote:
A stunning bottle. Rated at or near 100 points by all five tasters.
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2/18/2007 - bevetroppo wrote: 97 Points
Day after from memory. I've had this bottle in my personal possession for almost 20 years, mostly cellared in reasonably ideal condition. My hopes were running high. The cork was completely saturated and fell apart during the opening process. I had to gently try to extract the cork's bottom and then strain the wine through cheese cloth to remove the fragments. The operation was a success. First thing I noticed was the absolutely beautiful color: a vibrant, almost twinkling translucent pink shot through with purple highlights. The nose and flavors were exquisite. I should have written down my impressions but of course I didn't so I won't try to fake it now. What I remember most was the beautiful mature fruit, soft and delicate texture, and the finish, which was redolent of a delicious vanilla flavor. We drank it with two large slabs of Stilton procured from different sources: one sharp and assertive, the other more creamy. The aggressive saltiness of the cheese was a perfect foil for the Port-no wonder this is a classic match. However, I preferred the creamier styled Stilton with the wine. Nothing to indicate this was running out of steam other than the condition of the cork.
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6/18/2006 - asiabear wrote: 99 Points
Tasted three times in past several years, including a horizontal of '63s at dinner with cheese in June 2004. This has consistently shown itself to be the finest of the '63s and one of the finest ports I have ever tasted. Full fruit, almost jammy, rich and long finish with no sharpness. This is very close to a perfect port.
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4/13/2006 - BradE wrote:
Fun in the Mountains (Beaver Creek): This is one of my all time favorite ports, and this bottle was great. Thanks to Jerry at Tramonte for pulling this out of his personal cellar.
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2/28/2004 - Eric wrote: 96 Points
MI Wine Club Ultracollectible Dinner (Seattle, WA, USA): This was an unreal port. Spirit, coffee, lilac, and violet, oh my! This is amazingly smooth, complex and long. Hurt me! Served with molten chocolate cake, another ultimate match.
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1/1/1994 - mnh wrote:
great now, can probably age 10-15 years
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