Fonseca Moscatel Roxo 20 Bottlings

[Mike K.]

J.M. Fonseca 20yo Roxo is a stunning pour. No debate. I have a couple bottles of the current bottling, great stuff.

The last time I was in the Garrafeira Nacional I noticed that they have some older bottles, bottled in 83, 87, and 89. Not knowing what I was looking at, I passed at the time and found the current bottling.

What’s the story on these older bottles? Are they any better? Different? How so?

Thx, Mike

[Andy Velebil]

I still have probably 4-5 bottles of this that were most likely bottled 15+ years ago. Last one I opened, a long time ago, was killer. Would be interested to hear others answers to Mike's questions.

[Eric Ifune]

I've had some JM Fonseca 25 year old Moscatel de Setubal. No longer made, these bottles were probably 30-40 years old. They were good, but lacked freshness. Probably better 20 years ago.

[Mike K.]

That’s a good point Eric. I was initially wondering if the wine used in the ‘20’ was any older years ago. But even if it was the freshness might suffer.