Description and Reviews:
The 1965 Fonseca is a rare and highly prized single-vintage release from one of the Douro’s most distinguished houses. Although not a universally declared vintage, Fonseca chose to bottle this wine due to the exceptional quality of fruit harvested that year—producing a Vintage Port that has stood the test of time with remarkable grace. Now well over half a century old, it remains a beautiful expression of mature Port, offering depth, nuance, and Fonseca’s signature opulence in a gentler, more contemplative form.
On the nose, the wine is wonderfully evolved, with lifted aromas of dried fig, rose petal, caramelised orange peel, and soft baking spice. Hints of cigar box, almond skin, old wood, and dark chocolate emerge as it opens in the glass. There’s an ethereal quality to the bouquet—delicate yet persistent—reflecting both the maturity and the finesse typical of well-aged Fonseca.
The palate is medium-bodied and silky, with layers of dried cherry, date, molasses, and toasted hazelnut. Though the fruit has mellowed, there is still richness and vitality, supported by gentle acidity and a finely integrated sweetness. The texture is seamless, with no hard edges—just a long, warming finish infused with spice, cocoa, and subtle herbal notes. This is not a blockbuster Port but rather one of refined complexity and quiet power.
Best enjoyed now and over the next few years, the 1965 Fonseca needs only a light decant (30–45 minutes) to separate sediment and allow its bouquet to unfurl. Serve slightly below room temperature alongside aged cheeses, nut-based desserts, or simply as a meditative end to an evening. A rare and rewarding experience for lovers of vintage Port at peak maturity.
