Fonseca Vintage 2017 750ml

Fonseca Vintage 2017 is the house's Vintage Port from the 2017 harvest, a massive, powerful wine at 20% ABV with the complex, layered fruit that typifies Fonseca. It is a bottle to lay down, or to open now for a serious occasion with a long decant.

In the glass, a narrow magenta rim surrounds a purple-black core. The nose opens with dense, juicy berries alongside fresher, more vibrant red berry aromas, with a schisty minerality holding the lush fruit in check. At this stage it is still reserved and discreetly aromatic, showing leafy balsamic fragrances and notes of sawed cedar wood. On the palate the fruit is dense and very concentrated, persisting through a long finish. The texture is enveloping and velvety, but taut, robust tannins and a crisp, continuous acidity give it firmness and structure.

Serve it with walnuts, blue-veined and other richly flavoured cheeses, or dried apricots and figs. Or simply pour it into a generously sized glass and enjoy it on its own, in good company. Ralph's imports Fonseca directly, with Metro Manila delivery.