1983 Fonseca
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Tasting notes
Pale-mid tawny – surprisingly pale, like the 1980. Fully developed mushroom and brawn nose. A little lightweight on the palate, though there is some depth of praline, spice and chocolate, with good length too. I think it’s a pretty good wine, but showing significant aromatic maturity on this bottle. (TJ)
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More reviews and scores
Bright ruby. Nutty – walnuts on the nose. Bright fruit. Dry and vigorous. Long and rich. Correct. Quite advanced. (JR)
The 1985 Fonseca is still youthful in appearance with hardly any ageing on the rim. The nose offers kirsch, sloes and Christmas cake. With time, there are subtle notes of dried fig and dates beginning to emerge and add to the complexity. The palate is medium-bodied and beautifully balanced on the supple, rounded entry. It is not quite as complex as the aromatics, with dates and dried fig, the finish mellow and refined. It is very elegant for a Fonseca, weighty but supremely well focused. This is a fabulous Fonseca that is ready to drink now, but will age for another 30 or 40 years. (NM)
Mid red. Slightly musty nose. Lots of sweet, very slightly tired fruit. Obvious alcohol and not quite powerful enough fruit to support it. Dry finish. Not harmonious. See my comment above about Fonseca 1977. (JR)