Fonseca, Guimaraens Vintage Port 2018

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Mark Squires

The 2018 Guimaraens Vintage Port is a field blend that comes in with 98 grams of residual sugar. It was aged in large wooden vats for approximately 18 months. This is essentially made like the Vintage Port, just not declared. That gets you a good price, if not quite the same quality. Still, this is a very fine Guimaraens, showing off good fruit and structure. It is a bit lean. It will be drinkable soon and hold for a few decades. It may not be the brightest star in 2060, but I predict it will still be alive and kicking. Still, I wouldn't quite treat this as a serious vin de garde.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Mark Squires

The 2018 Guimaraens Vintage Port is a field blend that comes in with 98 grams of residual sugar. It was aged in large wooden vats for approximately 18 months. Elegant and aromatic, this is laced with a little eucalyptus up front. It is ultimately a focused Guimaraens that has a graceful demeanor and fine structure. On first taste, though, it was flat and seemed thin overall. Two days later, it fleshed out and demonstrated that it had enough mid-palate depth to match its pure power. It became more complex as well, although it is not exactly the most expressive Port that the house has made. Of the three from the Fladgate Partnership this issue, this is the least expressive today by far. Closed? Or just missing something? At the price, however, it is a very fine value, and the superb structure—it's best feature—gives this a chance to develop in the cellar. It may yet improve. The price references a full bottle, although this was tasted from a half bottle.