Fonseca Vintage (Ex Estate) 1994

From its first Vintage Port release in 1840, Fonseca has established itself as one of the preeminent producers in the region, renowned for remarkable quality and consistency. Their Vintage Ports are only released when a vintage produces outstanding wines with long term ageing potential and are composed of wines from the estates of Cruzeiro, Santo Antonio and Panascal. 1994 was widely considered an excellent year in the Douro with some even comparing it to the fabled 1963 vintage. On the nose it is vibrant and bold, with wonderful aromas of cassis, liquorice, black pepper, truffle and slate. On the palate it is seamlessly balanced, marrying together huge waves of concentrated fruit with broad strokes of muscular tannins, suggesting that it is entering its drinking window but hinting more that the best may well be yet to come.