Product Overview
The 2003 Fonseca Vintage Port boasts an intense, purple-black centre with a narrow, magenta edge. The nose is bursting with potent, complex fruitiness which is the hallmark of the Fonseca style. The fruit is rich and luscious, a harmonious blend of black currant, raspberry, cherry, and plum. It's full bodied on the palate with tightly knit, chewy tannins which provide both volume and structure. The succulent jammy fruit flavors seem to last forever on the incredibly long finish. This is a big, opulent wine in the Fonseca tradition with the background and depth of flavour to ensure a long life in bottle.
97 Points - Wine Enthusiast
"Fonseca vintage Ports are always among the most attractive and long-lived. This 2003 conforms magnificently to that model. It is structured, rich, powerful and opulent. There are cassis and black fig flavors, as well as sweet tannins. It is delicious already, and will remain delicious throughout its long life." -RV, 11/1/05
96 Points - Wine Spectator
"Lots of grape and raisin on the nose. Full-bodied, chewy and lightly sweet. Serious concentration, with lots of grip on the finish. Just what to expect from a young Vintage Port. Best after 2012. 12,000 cases made." -JS, 4/30/06
94 Points - Wine Advocate
"The 2003 Vintage Port comes in with 92 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is a big boy in terms of voluptuous fruit, but (at least as double decanted overnight), it is drinkable now, even if it still tightens noticeably as it sits in the glass. Make no mistake, though—it is nowhere near peak. This rather dry Fonseca is big and fat, yet there is also some concept of balance here, surprisingly. This very warm vintage wasn't exactly shy. The concentration easily counters the power, and it steadily acquired better balance as it sat and aired. In terms of complexity, there's no there there yet, if you'll allow the Gertrude Stein summary. In that sense, at least, it is far too young and needs another decade. Winemaker David Guimaraens told me that he thinks his grandchildren will be able to enjoy it, so there is no rush. Cellar this for another decade, at the least, more like 20 years if you like them softer and more complex. This will still improve, but it has some more questions to answer in the cellar. The price reflects current availability. Korbrand, the importer, indicated limited stocks are available in the USA as well as Portugal. There may be an official re-release as well." -MS, 8/31/17
