Have spent the past year or so learning and drinking a number of tawny's, especially 20yo, and buying a few VPs--'83, '85, 2000, 2003, and one 1970. All of this thanks to this marvelous BB!
Last week-end I just couldn't take it any longer! Descriptions and tasting notes for VPs were just driving me crazy, so while feeling guilty about the infanticide I was wreaking, I opened one of two 375 bottles of 2003 Fonseca. Decanted for just over 11 hours. All day long I kept thinking and wondering--will this be as good as others have said, will I be able to really notice aromas and flavors in one this young, etc.
While nothing new here for most on this BB, it was a newbie's dream!! The two elements that were most significant to me were the indescribable silkiness and velvety texture/body and the incredible purity of fruit. Stared at the rich color with black center and pure color to the rim. (Articulating the obvious here) there really is a huge difference between VPs and LBVs and other styles, at least what I've tried.
Question please--particularly in the element of the silky texture, is this indicative of either the vintage, the producer, and/or the young age of this port? Or can one expect this for most VPs?
Once again, thank all here, especially Roy, for the guidance and thoughts that have helped along the way of this new area of wine for me. Why oh why did I not discover Port 30 years ago??!
Best regards,
David
My First VP-A Newbie's Observations
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
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David Sweet
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:08 pm
- Location: Illinois
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Frederick Blais
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- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 10:07 am
- Location: Porto, Portugal
Welcome to the Ultimate experience of Port David. What a great way to start it by drinking Fonseca 2003.
About the silky texture, it is mostly experienced with VP. Some other house do bring some nice velvety texture to their VP in their youth especially, but again it is not always the case and I think Fonseca can be one of the only to achieve it Vintage after Vintage and does keep it as it matures. I could name a few, mainly from previous vintages but when retasted they had mainly lost it or are getting in a dumb phase right now, so no point of telling you those. I do think that the Quinta do Noval 2003 is probably the closest VP to Fonseca 2003, probably a bit more jammier but increadibly silky and velvet texture.
About the silky texture, it is mostly experienced with VP. Some other house do bring some nice velvety texture to their VP in their youth especially, but again it is not always the case and I think Fonseca can be one of the only to achieve it Vintage after Vintage and does keep it as it matures. I could name a few, mainly from previous vintages but when retasted they had mainly lost it or are getting in a dumb phase right now, so no point of telling you those. I do think that the Quinta do Noval 2003 is probably the closest VP to Fonseca 2003, probably a bit more jammier but increadibly silky and velvet texture.
Living the dream and now working for a Port company
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Ronald Wortel
- Posts: 889
- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 3:45 pm
- Location: New Plymouth, New Zealand
I totally agree with Frederick, Fonseca always manages this great silkiness in its young ports, and the great thing is, that they are just as irresistible when youg as aged. This is something typical for the producer. VP's from for example Taylor, are hardly drinkable when young. The 2003 literally brought tears to my eyes, it was that tannic and acidic.
David,
If this is the temptation that you have been resisting for all these months - don't stop now. But I do agree with Fred and Ronnie, what a wonderful port to start with!
Other 2003's that I have found with this silkiness have been the Sandeman and the Croft, but the Fonseca with 11 hours in the decanter must have been wonderful. Not a wine I've tried so thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Alex
If this is the temptation that you have been resisting for all these months - don't stop now. But I do agree with Fred and Ronnie, what a wonderful port to start with!
Other 2003's that I have found with this silkiness have been the Sandeman and the Croft, but the Fonseca with 11 hours in the decanter must have been wonderful. Not a wine I've tried so thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Alex