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Fonseca 1980 tasted on 1st September 2007 in St. Helens. Tasted that evening were Fonseca 1920, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1992, and 2000. Also see the review describing the evening as a whole.

From the cellar of Uncle Tom, generously allowed into our care for only £29.

Intact and embossed lead capsule. Bottle and labels are very clean.

Fill level is at the very base of the neck and at least 4 cm below the cork. This looks like a low-fill bottling.

Decanted at 07:20 on 1 Sep 07. The last 3rd of the cork fragmented but I managed to get it out of the neck. Very dark and surprisingly little crust.

Lighter and browner than the ’75 and the ’83, with a nose that I described as “soft†. Eminently quaffable soft port, medium long, light and pleasant. ARK said “Army & Navy tablets†.

Light colour and not much on the nose. Some chocolate in the taste. Warm with a decent finish. A big step above the 92 for me but still some way behind the other lesser F's on the night.

Good Port. Yet a tad watery, and limited mouthfeel. Didn't shine alongside its brothers.

I grew very fond of this during the late evening. It is lighter than great vintages and lacks the big coffee hit bit it was genuinely pleasant and the sort of Port you could finish a bottle of and wonder where it had gone (other than down Derek's neck).

As previously pointed out, a great Port for Christmas day with the relatives round.