2003 Fonseca Vintage Port

The 2003 Vintage Port was aged for 21 months in wood and comes in at 92 grams of residual sugar. This is another oldie rereleased now. The Taylor's may be burlier and fresher, the Croft more nuanced and complex, but of the trio of 2003s in this report, this might well be the winner today. (Then again, it might not be; the comparison was certainly fun.) It has the most elegance, freshness and nuance, far younger than the Croft and more ready than the Taylor's. I can only say, I respect whatever choice you make; pick 'em. Personally, I lean to Taylor's in the longer run, but that is the least ready of the three.

Dense, dark blackish ruby. Interesting putty note on the nose. Very sweet and mouth-filling. You have to struggle a bit to see the tannins underneath all that sweet fruit but it’s certainly Fonseca and capable of delivering massive pleasure eventually. Just a little hot on the end. (JR)

Dark crimson. Lifted, appetising note of putty on the nose. Very round and luscious. Pure pleasure and none of the angularity of some 2003s. But perhaps not as reticent as some vintage Fonsecas. Even a hint of coconut. Finishes just a teensy bit dry. (JR)