Fonseca Quinta Do Panascal Port

• A fat, plump, luscious wine
• Full of rounded, ripe jammy fruit aromas
• Almost warm 'marmalada' like note to the nose
• Ripe and rich with flavours of plump, bursting plums and cherries
• Great notes of tobacco, smoky tea (lapsang) and spice
• A warm, velvety, satiny wine
• An enticingly very textural wine

Walnuts are an excellent accompaniment to Fonseca Quinta Do Panascal port. As well as blue veined and other richly flavoured cheeses. So too are dried fruits such as apricots or figs. Alternatively, simply savour the rich and complex flavours of the wine on their own in a generously proportioned glass with good company.

The ideal storage conditions are up to 16º Celsius and most importantly at a constant temperature. The bottle should rest on its side, thus keeping the cork moist and therefore an effective seal. After uncorking the wine, pour in a slow, steady stream into your decanter. Carefully watch the emerging liquid to ensure that only the clear wine is poured, leaving the sediment behind.

The 2007/2008 winter was very dry, having only 1/3 of the rain in the previous winter. The lack of water during the early part of the growing season led to very little pressure from disease. July was mainly one of doubting the vines capacity to ripen the grapes due to the drastic shortage of water.

The vintage stood out for the perfect weather conditions for the whole period. The young ports show good structure with very fresh berry fruit aromas, resulting from the cooler than normal ripening period.