Parker about Vintage Port 1970
Tasted at the Vintners Company's 650th anniversary celebration at Vintners Hall, the Fonseca 1970 was the finest bottle I have encountered. The bouquet opens beautifully with heady scents of clove, ginger, small red cherries, bergamot and allspice, displaying exquisite definition and harmony. The palate follows suit with lovely balance and poise in the mouth, notes of kirsch, shaved ginger and walnut building to an opulent, viscous finish that lacquers the mouth. Yet this bottle shows more control than the bottle tasted four years ago. The 1970 Fonseca is in a very nice place at the moment. You should join it. Tasted May 2013.
Description
Land | Portugal |
Region | Douro |
Rebsorten | Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Sousão, |
Alkoholgehalt | 20.00% |
Füllstand | Into Neck |
Verschlußart | cork stopper |
Kennzeichnung | Contains sulphites |
Farbe | Red |
Inverkehrbringer | Quinta do Panascal 5120-496 Valenca do Douro, Portugal |
Charakter | Sweet |
Servierempfehlung | Decant at 16-18°C |
Trinkempfehlung | 2020 - 2065 |
Parker Punkte | 95 |
Jahrgang | 1970 |
Douro, Portugal 🇵🇹
Goes well with

Vintage Port 1970

Fonseca's Vintage Port 1970 is a legendary vintage wine that embodies the best of Portuguese port wine tradition. This wine has developed its complexity and depth over decades and is one of the milestones in the history of the House of Fonseca. In the glass, it displays a deep ruby red color, acquiring slightly brownish reflections with age, yet still retaining an impressive vibrancy.
The bouquet is intense and complex, with ripe, concentrated aromas of black fruits such as blackberries and cherries, beautifully blending with notes of figs, raisins, and plums. Added to this are secondary aromas developed through the long aging period: notes of cedarwood, leather, tobacco, and delicate spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Subtle hints of walnut and mocha round out the bouquet and add additional depth.
On the palate, the Fonseca 1970 reveals all its elegance and complexity. The texture is velvety and dense, with perfectly integrated tannins that give the wine structure and balance. The fruit aromas are still present, but with a ripe, almost dried quality that blends with notes of spices, dark chocolate, and nuts. A lively acidity provides freshness and a perfect balance to the port's natural sweetness. The finish is exceptionally long and persistent, with a delicate interplay of fruit, spices, and a hint of precious wood.
This 1970 Vintage Port has evolved into a true masterpiece during its maturation phase and is a prime example of Fonseca's ability to create port wines that will captivate for decades. It is a pleasure to drink in its current form, but can still be aged and will retain its exceptional potential for many years to come.