1980 Fonseca

[PhilW]

Drinking a lovely Fonseca 1980 this evening; surprising since it was supposed to be an F83, but the label had disintegrated and the cork clearly shows F80. Classic Fonseca nose and flavours, this wine feels like a cross between an F83 and (older) F85, with firm yet dusky red cherries and a hint of sherbet, but underpinned by a solid structured backbone. A delicious wine, which I am very much enjoying. Definitely the best showing I have tasted of this wine.

rating: vg/ex

[Chris Doty]

Underrated for sure

[Andy Velebil]

You sure it wasn’t a 1985? Lol. This is the only non corked youngish VP I’ve ever poured down the drain. perhaps the worst Fonseca VP in a century or more.

[PhilW]

Corrected the above; I meant to say it was like a cross between "an F83 and (older) F85" rather than "F85 and (older) F85".

It was indeed definitely F80, both from cork and from capsule; the label had disintegrated, and it was with other bottles of F83 hence my mistake, but I went back and checked the capsule as well - confirming '80 also in addition to the cork.

Looking back at my records, this is the highest I've ever scored a port from 1980; looking back over F80 specifically I've had a couple of poor ones and a couple of good ones, though not this good previously.

[Glenn E.]

Underrated for sure

Agreed. Note that Chris's and Andy's statements need not be contradictory. The worst Fonseca in a century can still be underrated if enough people spend enough time trashing it.

It's a fine Port and I've liked it every time I've had it. But IIRC it's usually in the 89-90 range for me compared to 93-97 for other Fonsecas.