NV Fonseca Crusted 2001

[Alex Bridgeman]

Decanted cleanly off a small amount of tiny crusty pebbles and some fine, soft sediment. Deep red in colour, just a hint of mahogany; 95% opaque. Slightly smelly on the nose, lots of cooked cabbage and not much else. Dry stewed fruit on impact; a very dry style of port with plenty of fruit and tannin but the fruit is sharp and bitter rather than lush and sweet. Hot aftertaste, painful acidity that fades slowly to an impressive dry, dark chocolate finish of good length. Surprisingly short of sweet fruit to be particularly impressive. 83/100. 09-Jan-13. Decanted 1 hour.