Fonseca Port
Fonseca is one of the oldest and largest port shippers. First trading in 1815, the firm recruited Manoel Pedro Guimarãens. In 1822 he set sail for England; by travelling he could avoid persecution in Portugal as an outspoken liberal, and sell wines from London that Fonseca shipped. Manoel juggled a successful business with supporting fellow exiles of civil war. When Maria II emerged victorious, he was rewarded with the title of Knight, then Knight Commander, of the Order of Christ.
Around 1860 Manoel’s two eldest sons joined the firm, now M.P. Guimarãens & Son. Together they acquired the Fonseca trademark from the original owners’ heirs and, almost forty years later, the next generation joined: Frank (Pedro Francis Fladgate Guimarãens) came to Oporto to supervise vintage production. He remained in the position for more than 50 years, and since then the role has been passed to his great-nephew Bruce, then Bruce’s son David, Guimarãens. Fonseca is now owned by Taylor Fladgate but David, the sixth generation of Guimarãens, remains as head winemaker.
They are the only House with a perfect 100 points by critics on not one but four separate vintages in the last century, known globally for their wines’ intensity of fruit, opulence, structure and balance to last for decades. Wine experts praise the House; Robert Parker wrote: “Fonseca is one of the great port lodges, producing the most exotic and complex port… one might call it the Pomerol of Vintage Ports.” James Suckling also endorsed them, stating that Fonseca are “perhaps the most consistently great of all.”.
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51 products found.
Fonseca Port, 1977
Vintage Port
Excellent provenance
Unlabelled
Fonseca is one of the great port lodges, producing the most exotic and most complex port. If Fonseca lacks the sheer weight and power of a Taylor, Dow or Warre, or the opulent sweetness and intensity of a Graham, it excels in its magnificently complex, intense bouquet of plummy, cedary, spicy fruit and long, broad, expansive flavors. With its lush, seductive character, one might call it the Pomerol of Vintage ports. When it is young, it often loses out in blind tastings to the heavier, weightier, more tannic wines, but I always find myself upgrading my opinion of Fonseca after it has had 7-10 years of age. …
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Price: £189.00
Stock: 2 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1976
Guimaraens Vintage Port
REVIEWS:
1976 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port - The color of this was amazing dark, being solid black with a tawny colored rim around the outside. I can’t ever remember seeing a color like this on this old VP. The nose was very gummy and thick with a floral aspect similar to the elderberry flower. Very reducted on the palate with thick tar, raisins, and green stems. Yet it was still tannic at the same time. The finish was moderate with a rich mint aspect to it. While good in its own right, served blind this could have easily been mistaken for a lighter style PX Sherry. An extremely dry winter was followed by a hot summer causing springs and wells to dry up for the first time in living memory. …
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Price: £269.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1976
Guimaraens Vintage Port
Unlabelled
REVIEWS:
1976 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port - The color of this was amazing dark, being solid black with a tawny colored rim around the outside. I can’t ever remember seeing a color like this on this old VP. The nose was very gummy and thick with a floral aspect similar to the elderberry flower. Very reducted on the palate with thick tar, raisins, and green stems. Yet it was still tannic at the same time. The finish was moderate with a rich mint aspect to it. While good in its own right, served blind this could have easily been mistaken for a lighter style PX Sherry. An extremely dry winter was followed by a hot summer causing springs and wells to dry up for the first time in living memory. …
more >>>
Price: £239.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1973
Crusted Port - Bottled in 1973
Badly Damaged labels
A very rare bottle of 1973 crusted port.
Crusted Port is a very small category, named because of the 'crust' of sediment that it forms in the bottle. Invented by the British-owned Port houses predominantly for the British Port drinker, it is intended to be a more economical alternative to Vintage or Late Bottled Vintage. Crusted is a blend of several harvests, which are bottled without being filtered and laid down to mature like Vintage wines. Using this approach allows the manufacturer to use some of the lesser harvests but still produce a good rich full bodied wine at an economical price. …
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Price: £225.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1972
Guimaraens Single Quinta Vintage Port
Fonseca has belonged in the first rank of Vintage Port producers since the nineteenth century. Its Vintage Ports are noted for their luscious fruitiness which develops great opulence and complexity with age.
This is a very rare example from the 1972 vintage. This wine has a tawny coloured rim around the outside. The nose is very gummy and thick with orange peel, slightly medicinal. Very reducted on the palate with thick tar, raisins, orange peel.
Learn more about Fonseca
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Price: £395.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1970
Vintage Port
Imported and Bottled by Grants of St James
An outstanding port from a classic vintage. The Fonseca 1970 is now fully mature, and is probably one of the finest glasses of port that you will ever taste. A wine of this quality will age superbly for many decades to come. A magnificent wine with abundant ripe fruit flavours and concentrated tannins. Perfect harmony and balance places this Port amongst the all-time greats.
Robert Parker, renowned critic writes of this Port.... "... it excels in its magnificently complex, intense bouquet of plummy, cedary, spicy fruit and long, broad, expansive flavours. With its lush, seductive character, one might call it the Pomerol of Vintage ports. …
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Price: £195.00
Stock: 12 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1970
Vintage Port
Shipped and Bottled by Army and Navy Stores
The 1970 Fonseca Vintage Port is an outstanding port from a classic vintage. The Fonseca 1970 is now fully mature, and is probably one of the finest glasses of port that you will ever taste. A wine of this quality will age superbly for many decades to come. A magnificent wine with abundant ripe fruit flavours and concentrated tannins. Perfect harmony and balance places this Port amongst the all-time greats.
Robert Parker, renowned critic writes of this Port.... "... it excels in its magnificently complex, intense bouquet of plummy, cedary, spicy fruit and long, broad, expansive flavours. With its lush, seductive character, one might call it the Pomerol of Vintage ports. …
more >>>
Price: £225.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1967
Guimaraens Vintage Port
The Fonseca 1967 Vintage Port stands as a testament to the enduring quality of one of Portugal's most esteemed Port houses. Bottled in 1970, this wine has matured gracefully over the decades, offering a complex bouquet of dried fruits, spice, and subtle earthy undertones. On the palate, it delivers a harmonious blend of rich fig, dark cherry, and hints of tobacco, culminating in a long, velvety finish that reflects its meticulous aging process.
When serving this vintage Port, it's essential to decant it carefully to separate it from any sediment that may have formed over time. Allowing the wine to breathe for about an hour will help in releasing its intricate aromas and flavors. …
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Price: £295.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1966
Vintage Port Top Shoulder Level Unlabelled | Embossed Wax Capsule
The 1966 Fonseca Vintage Port is widely celebrated as one of the finest examples of classic Port from the 20th century. Produced in a declared vintage year, this wine exemplifies Fonseca's signature style—rich, powerful, and built for longevity. Even after nearly six decades, it continues to impress connoisseurs and collectors with its complexity and vitality.
In the glass, the 1966 Fonseca typically displays a deep ruby hue with subtle garnet reflections, indicating its maturity. The nose is intensely aromatic, offering a bouquet of black cherries, plums, violets, and hints of bitter chocolate and tobacco. …
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Price: £285.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1966
Vintage Port Unlabelled | Embossed Wax Capsule
The 1966 Fonseca Vintage Port is widely celebrated as one of the finest examples of classic Port from the 20th century. Produced in a declared vintage year, this wine exemplifies Fonseca's signature style—rich, powerful, and built for longevity. Even after nearly six decades, it continues to impress connoisseurs and collectors with its complexity and vitality.
In the glass, the 1966 Fonseca typically displays a deep ruby hue with subtle garnet reflections, indicating its maturity. The nose is intensely aromatic, offering a bouquet of black cherries, plums, violets, and hints of bitter chocolate and tobacco. …
more >>>
Price: £285.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1966
Vintage Port typed label | Embossed Wax Capsule
The 1966 Fonseca Vintage Port is widely celebrated as one of the finest examples of classic Port from the 20th century. Produced in a declared vintage year, this wine exemplifies Fonseca's signature style -rich, powerful, and built for longevity. Even after nearly six decades, it continues to impress connoisseurs and collectors with its complexity and vitality.
In the glass, the 1966 Fonseca typically displays a deep ruby hue with subtle garnet reflections, indicating its maturity. The nose is intensely aromatic, offering a bouquet of black cherries, plums, violets, and hints of bitter chocolate and tobacco. …
more >>>
Price: £295.00
Stock: 5 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1965
Guimaraens Single Quinta Port
The 1965 Fonseca is a rare and highly prized single-vintage release from one of the Douro’s most distinguished houses. Although not a universally declared vintage, Fonseca chose to bottle this wine due to the exceptional quality of fruit harvested that year—producing a Vintage Port that has stood the test of time with remarkable grace. Now well over half a century old, it remains a beautiful expression of mature Port, offering depth, nuance, and Fonseca’s signature opulence in a gentler, more contemplative form.
On the nose, the wine is wonderfully evolved, with lifted aromas of dried fig, rose petal, caramelised orange peel, and soft baking spice. …
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Price: £495.00
Stock: 3 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1965
Guimaraens Single Quinta Port
The 1965 Fonseca is a rare and highly prized single-vintage release from one of the Douro’s most distinguished houses. Although not a universally declared vintage, Fonseca chose to bottle this wine due to the exceptional quality of fruit harvested that year—producing a Vintage Port that has stood the test of time with remarkable grace. Now well over half a century old, it remains a beautiful expression of mature Port, offering depth, nuance, and Fonseca’s signature opulence in a gentler, more contemplative form.
On the nose, the wine is wonderfully evolved, with lifted aromas of dried fig, rose petal, caramelised orange peel, and soft baking spice. …
more >>>
Price: £475.00
Stock: 11 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1961
Guimaraens Vintage Port Library release from Fonseca cellars Oporto
Rare Bottles of Fonseca Single Quinta Vintage Port obtained directly from the Fonseca Cellars in Oporto
Tasting note: Core of deep tawny brown with a broad amber rim. Beautifully mature and seductive nose, full of rich figgy plum pudding aromas and hints of butterscotch and fine caramel. Ripe fruity notes of apricot and plum emerge with time, followed by discreet nuances of spice and new oak. On the palate the wine coats the tongue with its dense velvety texture and warm mellow flavours which persist into the long finish. A wonderfully mature and complex wine, now absolutely at its peak, displaying the characteristic Fonseca opulence to an extraordinary degree. …
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Price: £695.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1958
Guimaraens Vintage Port
The Fonseca 1958 Port is golden and nearly tawny in colour. On the nose dark cherry and elegant aromas. Rather full bodied on the palate, sweet, complex and balanced with burnt sugar. Elegant finish.
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Price: £595.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1955
Vintage Port
Unlabelled | Embossed capsule
Plain label can be provided upon request
The 1955 was the only year declared by Fonseca in the 50s. An underrated, indeed almost forgotten, vintage that deserves to be rediscovered.
Notes on the year
The year was marked by an excellent ripening season with hot weather in July and August meaning that the crop was perfectly mature towards the end of September. Most of the well known shippers declared 1955.
Tasting Note
Medium to deep red, with a remarkably youthful ruby edge. Incredible richness and almost young grapey fruit character. As it breathes it opens to reveal spicy mature dark fruit aromas. On the palate it fills the mouth with round, marzipan richness mixed with full chocolate flavour. …
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Price: £595.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1955
Vintage Port
Half Bottles 37.5cl
Unlabelled | Embossed Capsules | excellent provenace
Plain label can be provided upon request
The 1955 was the only year declared by Fonseca in the 50s. An underrated, indeed almost forgotten, vintage that deserves to be rediscovered.
Notes on the year
The year was marked by an excellent ripening season with hot weather in July and August meaning that the crop was perfectly mature towards the end of September. Most of the well known shippers declared 1955.
Tasting Note
Medium to deep red, with a remarkably youthful ruby edge. Incredible richness and almost young grapey fruit character. As it breathes it opens to reveal spicy mature dark fruit aromas. On the palate it fills the mouth with round, marzipan richness mixed with full chocolate flavour. …
more >>>
Price: £265.00
Stock: 4 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1948
Vintage Port
High shoulder, UK Bottled by John E McPherson and Sons Ltd, Newcastle
The Fonseca 1948 Vintage Port is often hailed as one of the legendary vintages of the 20th century, an icon in the world of fortified wines. Deep, complex, and astonishingly well-structured, it demonstrates Fonseca’s signature style of powerful fruit and elegance. Even after many decades, it has retained an extraordinary vibrancy and depth, making it a timeless classic.
In terms of tasting profile, the 1948 Fonseca opens with an aromatic symphony of rich blackberries, plums, and ripe figs, underpinned by layers of dark chocolate, cedar, spices, and a hint of mint. On the palate, the wine is lush, incredibly smooth, and beautifully integrated. …
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Price: £1,495.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1947
Single Quinta Vintage Port
This is a special treat at the end of the evening. Murky copper coloured with a rich intense raisoned nose with bay leaf and hints of brandy butter and caramel. The palate is full and powerful but with a surprising freshness and lift. Dense and flavoursome with rich dark coffee, cloves, chocolate and toffee apple flavours. Absolutely lovely with endless length.
Learn more about Fonseca
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Price: £1,295.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1945
Vintage Port
Level very top shoulder, embossed capsule, fragile label
Renowned as one of the great Port producers, Fonseca's vintage wine is among the best in virtually every widely declared vintage. The house style is flamboyantly rich, even exotic, and the wines are usually sweeter and fuller in body than those from most other producers.
The 1945 Fonseca is a top wine from one of the top vintages of the 20th century, a hot year with low yield. In the glass, the gorgeous wine has bittersweet chocolate on the aroma as well as surprising fruit; a dollop of chocolate permeated the array of flavors while the tannic structure was richer and rounder than the Taylor ’48. …
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Price: £2,295.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1934
Vintage Port, DOC Douro Base of neck Peatling & Cawdron Bottling
The house of Fonseca traces its origins to the early nineteenth century. The first evidence of the firm trading in Port is an entry dated 8th April, 1815, in the ledgers of the Real Companhia Velha, the royal monopoly company. This records the purchase of 32 pipes of Port by the firm’s founder, João dos Santos Fonseca. His first documented sale occurred on 14th September, 1815, followed in 1816 by his first overseas shipment.
Fonseca Ports are known for their intense and complex aromatics. A 1934 Fonseca will likely offer aromas of dried fruits (such as figs and dates), nuts (like almonds and walnuts), and spices. …
more >>>
Price: £1,595.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1934
Vintage Port, Douro Very Top Shoulder
The house of Fonseca traces its origins to the early nineteenth century. The first evidence of the firm trading in Port is an entry dated 8th April, 1815, in the ledgers of the Real Companhia Velha, the royal monopoly company. This records the purchase of 32 pipes of Port by the firm’s founder, João dos Santos Fonseca. His first documented sale occurred on 14th September, 1815, followed in 1816 by his first overseas shipment.
Fonseca Ports are known for their intense and complex aromatics. A 1934 Fonseca will likely offer aromas of dried fruits (such as figs and dates), nuts (like almonds and walnuts), and spices. …
more >>>
Price: £1,495.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1934
Vintage Port, Douro Excellent Level
The house of Fonseca traces its origins to the early nineteenth century. The first evidence of the firm trading in Port is an entry dated 8th April, 1815, in the ledgers of the Real Companhia Velha, the royal monopoly company. This records the purchase of 32 pipes of Port by the firm’s founder, João dos Santos Fonseca. His first documented sale occurred on 14th September, 1815, followed in 1816 by his first overseas shipment.
Fonseca Ports are known for their intense and complex aromatics. A 1934 Fonseca will likely offer aromas of dried fruits (such as figs and dates), nuts (like almonds and walnuts), and spices. …
more >>>
Price: £1,495.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1934
Vintage Port, DOC Douro Excellent Level
The house of Fonseca traces its origins to the early nineteenth century. The first evidence of the firm trading in Port is an entry dated 8th April, 1815, in the ledgers of the Real Companhia Velha, the royal monopoly company. This records the purchase of 32 pipes of Port by the firm’s founder, João dos Santos Fonseca. His first documented sale occurred on 14th September, 1815, followed in 1816 by his first overseas shipment.
Fonseca Ports are known for their intense and complex aromatics. A 1934 Fonseca will likely offer aromas of dried fruits (such as figs and dates), nuts (like almonds and walnuts), and spices. …
more >>>
Price: £1,495.00
Stock: 1 in Stock
Fonseca Port, 1934
Vintage Port, DOC Douro Excellent Level
The house of Fonseca traces its origins to the early nineteenth century. The first evidence of the firm trading in Port is an entry dated 8th April, 1815, in the ledgers of the Real Companhia Velha, the royal monopoly company. This records the purchase of 32 pipes of Port by the firm’s founder, João dos Santos Fonseca. His first documented sale occurred on 14th September, 1815, followed in 1816 by his first overseas shipment.
Fonseca Ports are known for their intense and complex aromatics. A 1934 Fonseca will likely offer aromas of dried fruits (such as figs and dates), nuts (like almonds and walnuts), and spices. …
more >>>
Price: £1,495.00
Stock: 1 in Stock