The 2009 Fonseca Vintage Port is a proprietary blend from the Douro region of Portugal. Produced by Fonseca, it boasts a robust 20.5% alcohol content and is sealed with a traditional cork closure. This red wine has garnered high praise from several esteemed critics, reflecting its exceptional quality and potential for aging.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this wine a score of 94, with Neal Martin describing it as having "a very sweet, typically opulent bouquet of black plum, blackberry, chimney soot, and a touch of pencil shavings." He further elaborated on the palate, noting its "powerful ripe blackberry, allspice, clove, and balsamic notes" and mentioning that it requires "two decades to mellow and demonstrate the finesse to balance the intensity."
Wine Spectator was even more generous, giving the 2009 Fonseca Vintage Port a score of 95. KM highlighted its "gorgeously vibrant and grapey" nature, with "good cut to the luscious dark fruit and cedar flavors." The review also mentioned the wine's minerally rush and finish of slate and iron, suggesting it would be best enjoyed from 2016 through 2036.
Wine Enthusiast echoed this sentiment, also scoring the wine 95. The publication described it as "a classic Fonseca, rich and powerful, with just an extra edge of weight from the vintage." They praised its "dry character" and "tannic edge," which promise great aging potential while still showcasing "open-hearted fruit."
Wine & Spirits gave the wine a score of 93, noting that the "voluptuous 2009 vintage seems to play right into Fonseca’s house style." The review highlighted its "schisty grip of tannins and a fine cut of acidity" balanced with "chewy blueberry jam flavors" and a finish detailed with "roasted black cherries and brighter strawberry."
James Suckling also gave a score of 93, describing the wine as "extremely ripe, raisiny vintage port with lots of wet-earth and granite character." He noted its "big tannins" and "brutish" nature, advising that it would be better enjoyed in 2018.
In summary, the 2009 Fonseca Vintage Port is a powerful, complex wine with significant aging potential. Its rich flavors and balanced structure make it a standout vintage, praised uniformly across the board by expert reviewers.