What's New

Other Reviews....
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.
96-98 points
Mark Squires - Wine Advocate (July 2019)

Picking began at Quinta do Panascal on September 6, the two other quintas in Pinhão that form the 2017 Fonseca Vintage Port, Cruzeiro and Santo António picked on 10 and 17 September respectively. One of the deepest, most opaque color amongst the new Port alumni, it has one of the most backward, almost recalcitrant noses that demands a lot of aeration. It gradually opens to reveal blackberry, melted tar, thyme, clove and violet aromas that are well defined, if maybe just missing the same breeding as Taylor’s. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. This is fresh and detailed, a slightly more structured Fonseca than expected, quite strict at first with good grip and a lightly spiced, precise finish. Powerful and long on the aftertaste, you can feel this Fonseca 60 seconds after the wine has exited. It deserves 10-15 years in bottle. Excellent, but patience required. The most enigmatic of the 2017 Vintage Ports. Total production is 8,100 cases.
95 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

Ripe and soft with loads of plummy, smoky and earthy character. Full body. Very sweet. Round and very soft textured. Flavorful finish. Drink in 2025 and onwards.
95 points
jamessuckling.com

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.
97 points
James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

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.
98 points
Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

Already beautifully integrated, this is showing great purity and poise. It's open and in its first bloom of youth, with lovely aromatic red berry fruit and floral aromas, plus a touch of leafiness. It's soft and fleshy initially, seemingly not as big as its stablemate Taylor's - and not quite so deep in colour - though with dark chocolate concentration and mid-palate firmness. Lovely full, ripe tannins mass in the mouth, well defined, with fresh berry fruit remerging on the broad, expansive finish.
95 points
Richard Mayson - Decanter

Deepest purple. Wild, perfectly ripe small black berries like elderberry but also the lush sweetness of ripe blackberries plus a stony, rocky edge and just a touch charry. Lush, plush and exotic on the palate, deep-pile, compact, smooth tannins, just enough freshness to balance the rich generosity. The finish is beautifully dry-tasting, the tannins melting on the long finish.
17.5/20 points
Julia Harding MW - jancisrobinson.com

Other Reviews....
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.
96-98 points
Mark Squires - Wine Advocate (July 2019)

Picking began at Quinta do Panascal on September 6, the two other quintas in Pinhão that form the 2017 Fonseca Vintage Port, Cruzeiro and Santo António picked on 10 and 17 September respectively. One of the deepest, most opaque color amongst the new Port alumni, it has one of the most backward, almost recalcitrant noses that demands a lot of aeration. It gradually opens to reveal blackberry, melted tar, thyme, clove and violet aromas that are well defined, if maybe just missing the same breeding as Taylor’s. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. This is fresh and detailed, a slightly more structured Fonseca than expected, quite strict at first with good grip and a lightly spiced, precise finish. Powerful and long on the aftertaste, you can feel this Fonseca 60 seconds after the wine has exited. It deserves 10-15 years in bottle. Excellent, but patience required. The most enigmatic of the 2017 Vintage Ports. Total production is 8,100 cases.
95 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

Ripe and soft with loads of plummy, smoky and earthy character. Full body. Very sweet. Round and very soft textured. Flavorful finish. Drink in 2025 and onwards.
95 points
jamessuckling.com

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.
97 points
James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

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.
98 points
Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

Already beautifully integrated, this is showing great purity and poise. It's open and in its first bloom of youth, with lovely aromatic red berry fruit and floral aromas, plus a touch of leafiness. It's soft and fleshy initially, seemingly not as big as its stablemate Taylor's - and not quite so deep in colour - though with dark chocolate concentration and mid-palate firmness. Lovely full, ripe tannins mass in the mouth, well defined, with fresh berry fruit remerging on the broad, expansive finish.
95 points
Richard Mayson - Decanter

Deepest purple. Wild, perfectly ripe small black berries like elderberry but also the lush sweetness of ripe blackberries plus a stony, rocky edge and just a touch charry. Lush, plush and exotic on the palate, deep-pile, compact, smooth tannins, just enough freshness to balance the rich generosity. The finish is beautifully dry-tasting, the tannins melting on the long finish.
17.5/20 points
Julia Harding MW - jancisrobinson.com

Made using the Saignee method from Mataro grapes with 30% of the wine undergoing barrel fermentation and aging in seasoned French oak hogsheads for 6 months. Translucent salmon pink colour. Nosing reveals peach, blood orange and cranberry scents with a hint of spice also evident. Flavours of pomegranate, cherry and spicy blood orange show excellent intensity. Well rounded and slippery in its mouthfeel with a wet stone back drop. Crisp finish with a long spicy aftertaste. Delicious.
Drink now.
Alc. 13.5%

A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Shiraz made from parcels of Light Pass Shiraz and Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with maturation taking place in seasoned French oak hogsheads for 30 months.
‘A rich Cabernet Shiraz blend that has some serious structure behind it.’
Impenetrable inky black core with a deep dark red black hue. Nosing offers up a mix of ripe blackcurrant and liquorice fruit which is complimented by hints of mint, dusty vanillin cedar, tobacco and spice. Rich blackcurrant, dark plum and liquorice fruits are supported by a sturdy tannin framework. Elements of earthy vanillin cedar, light tobacco and spicy mint work their way onto the back half. Slightly dryish, structured finish with a lengthy aftertaste that’s a touch grippy.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 14%

Pitch black in colour with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Heady liquorice and ripe dark plum aromas jump out of the glass trailed by blackberry, toasty vanillin oak, earthy dark chocolate and spice notes. Rich and plump, lavish dark plum, liquorice and blackberry fruits have a plush textural feel with toasty vanillin oak, fennel and spice characters lying underneath. Silky well integrated tannins with a long opulent aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14.5%

A blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Gamay. Deep dark red core with black tinged edges and a bright dark red hue. Spicy red cherry scents mix with earthy forest floor like notes, dusty cedar and smoked meats. Light in body the palate is elegantly detailed with red and sour cherry fruits, earth, spicy cedar and a touch of meatiness. Dryish finish with good freshness and slightly chalky tannins. The aftertaste bony and a touch rustic.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%

This Dolcetto is inky black in colour with a bright dark red black tinged hue. Morello cherry like scents mix with liquorice, inky earth, fresh Mediterranean herbs and spice. Brightly lit morello cherry and liquorice fruits are backed by crunchy like acidity and stern grippy tannins. Elements of inky earth and spice are also apparent. Concludes very dry and rustic with a firm chalky finish.
Cellar 5-6 years
Alc. 14%

This Beaujolais styled Pinot opens with a slightly cloudy dark red colour that has black shaded edges and a light red hue. Fragrant violet and anise scents jump out of the glass followed by hints of sour cherry, winter strawberry and herb infused meats. Juicy like cherry and strawberry flavours infused with a mix of fresh herbs and incense overlay clove and forest floor. Spicy conclusion with polished tannins, bright acidity and an aftertaste that’s both lively and savoury. 30% whole bunch.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.8%

Other Reviews….
These Wheeler wines are quite distinctive in style. Wheeling along on their own road, you could say. Peppery, rosy, poached strawberry and ripe cherry, green mango?!, shot through with orange rind, juniper berry and spice. Medium-bodied, has a peppery and amaro edge to it, dusty feel to the tannin, ripe strawberry, lively old spice cupboard thing going down on a finish of good length. Good to drink. Atypical in style, but I like it a lot. Drink 2020-2024+
93 points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front

Deep black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Nosing offers up dark plum and liquorice scents followed by hints of fennel, light vanillin cedar and spice. Ripe juicy dark plum fruits mix with liquorice on the mid weighted palate. Fleshy mouthfeel with some vanillin cedar, earthy fennel and pepper in the background. Velvety tannins with a soft slurpy finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 14%

Midnight black dark red colour with a very deep bright dark red hue. Morello and dried cherry aromas mix with liquorice, earthy incense like notes, dried herbs and spice. Medium bodied, the palate shows plenty of flesh with juicy morello cherry and liquorice flavours overlaying a dried herb, earth and spice back drop. Finishes with slightly chalky tannins, plenty of freshness and a mid length aftertaste.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.5%