Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

  • 98
  • 98
  • 97
  • 97

Fonseca Vintage Port 2017

Sale price$189.99

— 98 Points, Robert Parker
.
— " a quintessential Fonseca that should peak in 15-20 years time." Wine Advocate
.
— The Best producer in the region

Origin

Douro , Portugal

In stock
Ready for dispatch from Warehouse same or next business day
SKU: FOVP201710 UCAU
  • 98 Points
  • 98 Points
  • 97 Points
  • 97 Points
TASTING NOTES

Fonseca Vintage Port 2017 captivates with its opaque black purple colour and deep purple hues, showcasing the hallmark richness of a classic vintage port. The nose is elegantly restrained, revealing subtle aromas of liquorice, morello cherry, raisin, and spice, gently unfolding to reveal a refined brandy spirit note that adds complexity and depth.

On the palate, this port delivers superb concentration with mouthfilling flavors of liquorice, aniseed, and ripe blackberry, all seamlessly integrated with a delicate brandy spirit presence. The wine’s structure is supported by very fine-grained tannins that provide excellent length and balance, culminating in a long, dry finish marked by lingering notes of liquorice, aniseed, spicy blackberry, and brandy.

Bottled in 2009, the 2017 vintage reflects Fonseca’s reputation as one of the best producers in the Douro region, known for crafting ports that combine power and elegance. This vintage has earned 98 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, which describes it as "a quintessential Fonseca that should peak in 15-20 years’ time," highlighting its exceptional aging potential and refined complexity.

Produced in the renowned Douro Valley, a region celebrated for its unique terroir and ideal climate for port production, this vintage benefits from the perfect balance of warm days and cool nights that enhance grape ripeness and flavor concentration. The 2017 vintage is particularly noted for its intensity and structure, making it a standout expression of Fonseca’s mastery.

Perfect for collectors and connoisseurs seeking a premium vintage port, this wine promises a rewarding experience now and for years to come. Its rich, layered profile and elegant finish make it an excellent choice for special occasions or sophisticated wine pairings.

TASTING PROFILE
  • LIGHT
  • FULL
  • LOW TANNIN
  • TANNIC
  • SWEET
  • DRY
  • LOW ACIDITY
  • HIGH ACIDITY
Aroma: Blackberry, Blueberry, Pepper
Palate: Blackberry, Fruit Cake, Tobacco
Food Pairings:
  • Pork
  • Red Meat

Classification: Fortified

Variety: Port

Vintage: 2017

Bottle : 750ml (Bottle)

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro

Alcohol: 20.0%

Cellaring: 15 Plus Years

Scores

98/100

The 2017 Vintage Port, not quite bottled when seen but the final blend, is a field blend (with typical grapes like Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca) aged for approximately 20 months in used French oak. It comes in with 98 grams of residual sugar, a little drier on paper than its Taylor sibling this year. Sappy and sensational in flavor and fruit, this seemingly has moderate tannins around the edges on first taste, velvety texture and a long finish. Despite the first impression of moderation, there is plenty of power here. As it got some aeration, it showed nothing but power and closed down fairly hard. The combination of great fruit and fine structure makes this a potentially great Fonseca, but right now it is obviously immature and not showing everything it has. I'd recommend some patience here.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Scores

98/100

The wine's fine perfumed black plum fruits give a wonderful jammy character while bringing out a fresh edge. These are balanced by the dry core of this beautiful wine with its rich, generous tannins. It will all come together from 2030 in a very fine, integrated wine.

Wine Enthusiast

Scores

97/100

Dark and dense, with fig bread, baker's chocolate and tar notes leading off before the core flavors of plum, black currant and blackberry paste finally start to emerge. The wild, spirited finish shows cast iron, licorice snap and roasted alder elements, delivering a decidedly chewy feel. A big, old-school, throwback Port that will age at a glacial pace. Best from 2035 through 2060.

Wine Spectator

Scores

97/100

Early budburst, coupled with a very hot summer, resulted in the earliest vintage in a generation, and the wine superb. The very deep colour heralds a burst of red and black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate and earth spice on the bouquet. The succulent black fruits paint every corner and crevice of the mouth, towering over the tannins, acidity and spirit. The amazing result is a wine of balance and length that opens up a fresh finish without so much as even a hint of dead fruit.

James Halliday