Favorite Recent Fonseca

[John M.]

Please include me in...getting my seat now!

[Glenn E.]

I did a Dow vertical in NYC for one of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament tastings, but wouldn't mind doing one again! I think we only went back to ~1963, though, at that tasting.

[Eric Menchen]

I've already listed some of my Fonseca. Dow, that's s little thinner in my cellar.

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[Moses Botbol]

I'd like to do Dow, cutting it off at 1985. I could handle 10 people. How many vintages, 12-15?

[Roy Hersh]

Depends on how far back you would like to go, Moses.

But that sounds about right for 10 people. Especially if plenty of time to ensure the bottles are opened properly and have the right amount of decant time.

[Glenn E.]

Depends on how far back you would like to go, Moses.

1896?

[Thomas V]

Depends on how far back you would like to go, Moses.

1896?

If you get that in the linup, I will fly over from Denmark for that tasting!

[David Spriggs]

I have a bottle of Fonseca 1975. And a table for 12 people.
So instead of Boston, bring Your bottle to Denmark, and we will have a Party

And the winters in Denmark, Can be beautiful

My vote is for Fonseca in Denmark!

I love that idea. I would be very excited to finally visit Denmark.

[David Spriggs]

Answering the OP:

For drinking now: 1970, 1966, 1994.
1985 is a beast and it will probably be even more amazing in the future but is a shame to open now. I expect great things from it, but if the fruit fades then it will be a disappointment.... but I don't really expect that to happen.
1977 is just too uneven to trust. There are great bottles and then very weak bottles.
2011 is spectacular. On of my favorites of the vintage (Roy... please let us know why you have reservations). This is obviously too young to open.
2003 is just barely starting to open up after being very closed for a long time. With 2 days of air it is very impressive.

[Al B.]

I love Fonseca's ports, but the choice in the OP is an interesting one. Of those, the port I would prefer to drink today is the 1970 - but I love both the 1985 and the 1994 right now too. The 1985 is available by the glass from one of the wine bars I know and it's often my go to drink at the end of a day's work in London. It's a great treat to be able to buy a glass of this port from a decanter which gets sold through in anything from twice per day to once every three days.

But I actually prefer some of the older vintages to the 1970. I really rate the 1966, which is beautiful drinking today. The 1963 is fading but might do what the 1960 has done and suddenly come back into balance. 1955 is very fine, but pales against the 1948 and 1945 which are both magnificent. (And the 1942 is not really much good.)

If I choose from the four mentioned in the original post, I would go 1970, 1985, 1994 and 2011.

If I widen my comments to all the 20th century vintages of Fonseca since the end of World War II then I would go 1948, 1966, 1970, 1977, 1985, 1945, 1994, 1960, 1955, 1992, 1997, 1963, 2000, 1983, 1975, 1980.

[Moses Botbol]

If this was "Favorite Post-War Fonseca" I would go with '48, then '66, '70, & '85. '48 taking first place and other 4 to fight it out. Had a poor showing '70 Fonseca for the first time. From the same cellar as '70 Graham that showed better, but not perfect.

[John Trombley]

1970--because it's the only one I've tasted on multiple occasions. The oldest I've ever tasted is the '66--, even prior to purchasing the '70s [at Rare Wine Company for $50 a bottle]. but drank it at a terrible time with no advance opening.

[Thomas V]

Did you end up making the Fonseca vertical that was discussed in this tread?

As it happens I am and have been planning a Fonseca vertical myself for the return of my lost port-brother that is spending 1½ years abroad in Cleveland of all places. He works for DSV. On his return to Denmark in April/May 2018 this event will take place for 12-15 lucky people.

So far I have sourced the bottles highlighted in bold and am working on the remainder.

2007-2003-2000-1997-1994-1992-1985-1983-1980-1977-1970

My thought is we wont go younger than 2007, perhaps extending with the 1966....

I am also contemplating if we should include the 1995-1991-1987 Guimaraens.

If any FTLOP member inhere happens to be in Denmark at the time (intentional or not), I am sure we could work something out so you could join up and meet some jolly Danes

Love to get some input on the tasting lineup as well. And no we cannot extend back with 1945 and such bottles. It will be to steep a price for this tasting. Wont exceed approx 160 USD per participant.