Fonseca Vintage Port 2003

Fonseca Vintage Port is a fortified red wine from Portugal's Douro region, blended from wines produced at the Cruzeiro, Santo Antonio and Panascal estates. Known for concentrated fruit, firm tannic structure and richness, it is designed to develop additional complexity through extended bottle ageing.

Food Pairing: Pairs best with Stilton, mature blue cheeses, dried figs, walnuts, or dark chocolate.

97 Points - James Suckling

Lots of intensity on the nose of blackberries, dried fruits, bark, mushroom and crushed stone. Full-bodied, medium-sweet with chewy velvety tannins. Just a baby now with so much to go, but approachable now at almost 20 years of age.

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.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The review describes the 2003 as aged for 21 months in wood with 92 grams of residual sugar, highlighting its elegance, freshness and nuance. It is characterized as youthful yet more approachable than Taylor's, with the critic noting the close comparison among the 2003 Fonseca, Taylor's and Croft Ports.

95 Points - Wine & Spirits

The review describes a violet-toned Port with considerable freshness and long, dark fruit flavors supported by persistent tannin. Rocky, smoky mineral character adds energy to the structure, while the freshness and concentration suggest substantial ageing potential.

94 Points - Wine Spectator

The review highlights warmed ganache, toasted black sesame, plum cake and brown bread notes, followed by black treacle, succulent character and brambly grip. It describes the wine as distinctive and recommends drinking it from 2025 through 2045.