2005 Fonseca LBV Port

[John M.]

Decanted 20 hours. Purchased within the past few months for $18.

Label clearly states unfiltered and will throw sediment after a time--yet it has a T-cork which is puzzling (or at least against the convention I've usually seen). Very little sediment at all.

Very dark magenta color; I wasn't getting a lot of nose but what I got was berrylike with a hint of earthiness. The taste has hints of mashed dark, sweet berries. A bit tannic/acidic with the short to moderate finish being a bit clipped. Good but otherwise average LBV--but at price a decent value.

Two thoughts: Wonder how this would be after 2-3 days (since it was shared with 4 others at a cook-out party there is none left today) or in the alternative, it might be better if aged a few years. Just felt like this was opened prematurely or needed more time to breathe.

90 Points

[Mahmoud Ali]

John,

Many LBVs will improve in bottle, especially those with a bit more stuffing. Unfiltered LBVs and those that see only 4 or 5 years in cask as opposed to those with the maximum 6 years are generally the ones that will show improvement over time. Your Fonseca was unfiltered so that says something, but when was it bottled?

Mahmoud.