The 2017 Fonseca Vintage Port is a distinguished offering from Portugal's Douro region, crafted by Fonseca. This red wine, sealed with a cork, boasts a proprietary blend of traditional Port grapes, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barroca. It has an alcohol content of 20.0% and has been aged for approximately 20 months in used French oak.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this wine an impressive 98 points, highlighting its distinctive character. Reviewer Mark Squires noted, "It is a field blend...with a touch of eucalyptus and plums, but also loaded with delicious fruit. Like its Taylor's siblings, there is also a fine backbone." He added that it will age well, presenting a robust structure.
Wine Spectator also gave this vintage a high score of 97 points. The review by JM described it as "Dark and dense, with fig bread, baker's chocolate and tar notes...The wild, spirited finish shows cast iron, licorice snap and roasted alder elements, delivering a decidedly chewy feel." The publication suggested it will be best enjoyed from 2035 through 2060, indicating its excellent aging potential.
Vinous offered a slightly lower but still commendable score of 95 points. Neal Martin described the wine as having "one of the deepest, most opaque color amongst the new Port alumni," along with a nose that demands aeration to reveal its complex aromas of blackberry, melted tar, thyme, clove, and violet. Martin concluded that this wine is "Powerful and long on the aftertaste," recommending a decade or more of patience for optimal enjoyment.
Wine Enthusiast echoed the high praise with a 98-point score, with Roger Voss noting the wine's "fine perfumed black plum fruits" and "rich, generous tannins." Voss suggested that it will come together beautifully from 2030 onwards.
James Suckling and Decanter both rated the 2017 Fonseca Vintage Port at 95 points. Suckling described it as "Ripe and soft with loads of plummy, smoky and earthy character," and advised drinking from 2025 onwards. Decanter praised its "great purity and poise," noting its "lovely aromatic red berry fruit and floral aromas" and "fresh berry fruit reemerging on the broad, expansive finish."
Overall, the 2017 Fonseca Vintage Port is a robust and complex wine with excellent reviews, noted for its aging potential and rich, layered flavors.