1998 Fonseca - $40 | Worth Buying?

[Moses Botbol]

A place down the street from me has a few bottles of '98 Fonseca for $40. Anyone had this recently? I think I can get them down $35. I guess at that price; why not?

[Eric Menchen]

$35, maybe. I wouldn't buy a case of it. I was underwhelmed when I bought some a little while back. My TN, from 2011:

From a 375, which a local b&m is selling for $17 each. These are my recollections from a day and two later.

Decanted about three hours before drinking. Clear and red with some brown. I first noticed a wood and musty aroma, but the mustiness passed and the wood faded. Nice mild fruit and some balanced warmth. Mild tannins, medium finish. On the second day my first sip seemed an improvement, but then it settled back to be about the same as day one. The wood showed up again, and identified itself as cedar. A nice Port and worth the $17, but not overly complex. To quote Roy from another thread, "it didn't suck." 90 points.

If this bottle, disclaimer: 375ml, is any indication, I would drink these now and maybe for a few more years. I wouldn't hold on to them for more than five. This drank more like something from the 1980s or a 1977 instead of 1998.

A 750 might be better.

[John M.]

Guimaraens or Panascal??

Either way for $35 I'd go for it.

[Moses Botbol]

Guimaraens or Panascal??

Either way for $35 I'd go for it.

Guimaraens

[Monique Heinemans.]

Guimaraens or Panascal??

Either way for $35 I'd go for it.

Guimaraens

Did you get some, Moses? Tasted one?
I ask because I can buy a case for less than €30 a bottle..

[Moses Botbol]

Did you get some, Moses? Tasted one?
I ask because I can buy a case for less than €30 a bottle..

No, I didn't buy any. I figure for $40, I could buy more '83-'85 Graham or the like instead... Maybe, I'd buy one Fonseca just try it, but I haven't been buying much VP. I don't get a chance to drink VP as much, so I am more into Colheita and Tawny recently.

[Monique Heinemans.]

Did you get some, Moses? Tasted one?
I ask because I can buy a case for less than €30 a bottle..

No, I didn't buy any. I figure for $40, I could buy more '83-'85 Graham or the like instead... Maybe, I'd buy one Fonseca just try it, but I haven't been buying much VP. I don't get a chance to drink VP as much, so I am more into Colheita and Tawny recently.

Very understandable, if I could buy a Graham '85 at the same price, I wouldn't hesitate a sec... Over here I pay at least €80-90 for a bottle of Graham '85..

Thanks anyway!