José Maria da Fonseca

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José Maria da Fonseca 2001 FSF Fernando Soares Franco Red (Terras do Sado)

Editors' Choice

A wine made in homage to the father of the present directors of J.M. da Fonseca. This is a fascinating blend of Syrah, Trincadeira and Tannat. It is beautifully perfumed, with huge tannins and powerful intense fruit. This is a wine to cellar, but already its great, ripe fruit is delicious. This is a great wine, showing how good serious winemaking can be in the… — R.V. (11/15/2005)

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José Maria da Fonseca NV Moscatel Roxo 20 years (Moscatel de Setúbal)

Called Moscatel Roxo because of the slight red tinge to the old gold color of the wine, this is a stunning, mature wine, whose youngest component is 20 years old. It is deep, with a tannic element, and a dry, acidic streak over the intense sweetness. This is a beautiful wine, one of the world’s classics. Imported by Commonwealth Wine & Spirits Inc. — R.V. (11/15/2005)

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José Maria da Fonseca 2003 Hexagon Red (Terras do Sado)

Online Exclusive

A signature wine created by Domingos Soares Franco of J.M. da Fonseca to celebrate Portuguese blends, this is superb, a powerhouse of complex flavors, fresh, dark and elegant all at the same time. It is firm but not overpowering, finished by smooth toast, dark and powerful. — R.V. (4/1/2008)

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José Maria da Fonseca NV 20 years old Alambre Moscatel (Setubal)

Editors' Choice
Online Exclusive

Price $60

Why is Moscatel from Setúbal so unknown? This is as impressive as Port or Madeira, a golden glow of sweetness balanced by a burnt, maderized character. Acidity arches over the whole wine, a blend of wood-aged wines with a minimum age of 20 years. Fabulous – try it. — R.V. (11/1/2008)

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José Maria da Fonseca 2007 Domini Plus Red (Douro)

Cellar Selection

Price $40

A beautifully shaped and structured wine. Its polished wood shines through the black plums, figs and dark chocolate flavors. It’s a wine with a velvet texture, hiding sweet tannins and pushing the ripe fruit forward. For aging, 4–5 years, but already very drinkable. — R.V. (4/1/2010)

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José Maria da Fonseca NV Alambre 20 Anos Moscatel (Setubal)

Price $45

If Portugal’s third fortified wine (after Port and Madeira) can taste like this, it should be better known. Dark gold color, the wine has burnt, Maderized aromas. This is a wonderful old wine, with the youngest wine in the blend being 18 years old. Tastes of burnt old wood and old gold fruits complete a sensous experience. Sensibly, the wine also comes in half… — R.V. (12/31/2002)

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José Maria da Fonseca 2003 Domingos Soares Franco Colecção Privado Red (Terras do Sado)

Editors' Choice

Domingos Soares Franco, the winemaking director of J.M. da Fonseca, has sought to make a wine using old techniques such as open lagares with foot treading for fermentation. Made entirely from Touriga Nacional, this is a rich and juicy fruited wine, with wood flavors and elegant, soft tannins. Imported by Commonwealth Wine & Spirits Inc. — R.V. (11/15/2005)

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José Maria da Fonseca NV 20 years old Moscatel Roxo (Setubal)

Online Exclusive

Price $90

This remains a classic. The balance between ripe toffee and sweet caramel flavors and the intensity of its acidity is a wonderful source of tension and delight. The wine has intriguing flavors of lavender as well as a dark edge of tannin from wood aging. — R.V. (11/1/2008)

Most Reviewed Designations

Colecção Privada Domingos Soares Franco Colecção Privado Domini Domini Plus Hexagon Periquita Periquita Branco Periquita Classico Periquita Reserva Primum Twin Vines

Most Reviewed Varietals

Castelão Moscatel Moscatel Roxo Portuguese Red Portuguese White Red Blend Rosé Touriga Nacional Blend Verdelho White Blend

2010 Bogle Old Vine

What a delicious Zin this is. Sourced from the warm climates of Lodi and…

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