1970 Fonseca Vintage Port

[David Spriggs]

Bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd. Good looking cork. Totally soaked, a slight leaker. Fill is into the neck. Decanted 4 hours. Dark color. Much darker than the 1970 Graham's. Dark center with lighter purple rim. Closed nose at first, but then started to open up. Nice entry. Intense fruit. Expands in the mouth. Big wine! Intense finish. Really great length. Just a hint of alcohol burn and some unresolved tannins, but just super. Frankly, this is still too young. Outstanding Port! This is still my favorite 1970 Vintage Port. I would rate this bottle just slightly behind the Morgan-Furze bottling I had earlier this year. 95 Points.

Next day - Alcohol more under control. Big bouquet on this. Nice soft entry. Very fruity with a mix of black and red fruits. A little bite. The fruit comes back in waves. Slightly hot in the finish with a definite bitter grip. Note to self: More decanting and more time - maybe 5-10 years will do wonders.

[Roy Hersh]

David,

You are a tough critic. I find the 1970 one of the truly great bottlings of our lifetime (that's nearly ready to drink ). I'd be interested to know what is the highest you've ever rated a bottle of this particular VP?

[David Spriggs]

David,

You are a tough critic. I find the 1970 one of the truly great bottlings of our lifetime (that's nearly ready to drink ). I'd be interested to know what is the highest you've ever rated a bottle of this particular VP?

Maybe I wasn't effusive enough. THIS IS THE GREATEST PORT THAT I'VE HAD BETWEEN 1966 AND NOW. For current drinking, it's incredible.... and young. I've rated this as high as 97. That's probably too low. 98 or maybe 99 would be more appropriate. But as you know I'm loathe to just pile points on. I rated the 1963 Noval Nacional 99 points and I think that this wine is just a notch under that one. It's in the same class though. Five more years will do wonders for this wine.

I ammended my note on this one to note that it was a slight leaker and to enter the next day assessment. I think that it was a slight leaker made a difference. The Morgan-Furze bottlings that I have are just a little fresher. But I would never turn down this wine!

[Roy Hersh]

Thanks for the explanation. Yeah, I am usually in the 97-98 point range with this one when from perfect bottles, decanted properly. I understand the shaving of points due to the very minor issues you mentioned with this particular bottle. Thanks!