Vintage Port 1984 - Fonseca Guimaraens

Presentation of the Fonseca Guimaraens house

Fonseca Guimaraens is one of the oldest Port houses, founded in 1815. It is part of The Fladgate Partnership group, alongside Taylor's and Croft. Known for its rich, fruity style, Fonseca produces powerful vintages, perfect for aging. The name Guimaraens refers to years when classic vintages are not declared, but where the potential is deemed high enough to produce a prestigious wine.

Presentation of the wine & the appellation

Vintage Port is a fortified wine made exclusively from grapes from a single exceptional harvest in the Douro region of Portugal. The schist soils, steep slopes, and dry climate allow for a remarkable concentration of the berries. This 1984 Vintage, bottled in 1986, from Fonseca Guimaraens is a blend of indigenous grape varieties (including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz). It undergoes a short fermentation, fortification with wine brandy, and then aged for two years in casks before bottling without filtration. Tasting notes (according to archived notes) reveal aromas of plum, cocoa, dried fig, and leather, with a supple, smooth structure. It has a very nice persistence on the palate.

Presentation of the 1984 vintage

The 1984 vintage was not declared by the major wineries, but Fonseca chose to produce a Vintage Guimaraens. The year was marked by a warm but steady summer, favoring a beautiful, yet not excessive, ripeness. The wines offer remarkable finesse, well-integrated acidity, and excellent aging potential.

Condition of the bottle

• Level: Perfect
• Color: Perfect
• Label: Very worn and torn but perfectly legible
• Capsule: Perfect
• Overall Condition: Excellent

Food and wine pairings

• Blue cheeses (Stilton, Roquefort)
• Dark chocolate fondant or cocoa fondant
• Cigar and bitter chocolate at the end of the meal