Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage 2016

The wines used to produce Fonseca LBV were drawn from a reserve of some of the best full-bodied red Ports produced at the 2016 harvest, from grapes grown on Fonseca’s own vineyards and on other top properties in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior areas of the Douro. LBV Unfiltered is aged in large wooden vats and then drawn off into bottle with no fining or filtration. The result is a naturally expressive wine which has sacrificed none of its depth and fullness of flavour.

Tasting Notes

Deep, inky purple core with a bricking red rim. Rich, luscious and highly perfumed nose. Notes of blackberry, wild plum, logan berry, liquorice and a wonderful tension. Cloudberries give that added layer of soft, plump fruit, a mix of raspberry and redcurrant, with a hint of floral sweetness. On the palate, spice, brambles, assam tea with its traces of dark chocolate, cocoa and an alluring herbaceous hint. Good grip, concentration of dark woodland fruit, silky tannins and a fresh bright finish, with incredible length and generous mouth feel.

Notes on Viticultural Year

The weather pattern leading up to the 2016 harvest was relatively unusual. Rainfall in April and May was almost three times the 10-year average. This replenished round water reserves reduced by the dry conditions the previous year but also resulted in significant fruit loss and reduction in yields in some areas as well as a late start to the maturation cycle. In contrast, July saw the onset of hot, dry conditions that lasted for the rest of the summer. Ripening was even, gradual and rounded off by a spell of rainfall towards the middle of September. Estates that delayed picking until after the rains were rewarded by perfect harvesting weather, the cool nights contributing to long, well-balanced fermentations and gentle extraction. Wine makers’ notes record that the young wines displayed very fine aromas as well as pronounced tannins.