Wine Advocate (93)

The 2015 Reserva Conde de Vimioso is a blend of 40% Touriga Nacional, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Aragonez and the rest Syrah, aged for 18 months in oak ranging from new to third use. It comes in at 14% alcohol. Concentrated, beautifully structured and rather on the powerful side on opening, this is not quite ready to drink, although you could certainly approach it now. With an hour of air, it actually drank very well. Another year or two in the cellar would help it, though. It went like this: on opening, a bit oaky and not ready; after an hour, beautiful. Add a couple of points to the score. Leave it on the table for three hours and then let it air in a glass for half an hour—gorgeous. Add more points. Of the Tejo onslaught this issue, this was probably my favorite. The oak is a bit prominent now, but it doesn't come close to subsuming the nuanced fruit. That first hour of aeration lets the mid-palate absorb the wood very well. The complex flavor medley runs from blueberries to beef. The mid-palate eventually shows some fine finesse, although this is certainly burlier than its unoaked sibling this issue. This well-crafted red is a refined and silky beauty with a bit of a crisp edge. I suspect that it will eventually show far more complexity as well. This is not imported, so the price is just an estimate.

Crafted by the legendary Ferreira in Portugal's Douro Valley, the Ferreira Vintage Port 2011 is a choice indulgence for fine wine collectors. Estate-grown Touriga Franca, amongst other native varieties, create a rich blend, aged for two years in wooden vats. Displaying breathtaking depth and complexity, this Vintage Port shows concentrated flavours of lush, ripe blackberries and a soft, velvety structure. Coveted for its sublime tasting notes of dark chocolate and spices, it offers an intense, persistent, and balanced palate.

As the oldest richly flavoured Vintage Port producing family in the Douro region, Ferreira's house style honours tradition and encapsulates terroir expression perfectly. Critics from top wine publications rave about the Ferreira Vintage Port 2011, praising its sophistication and fine quality. An ideal celebration wine, this Port ensures an elegant, memorable finish to any special meal.

For those seeking an extraordinary wine, the Ferreira Vintage Port 2011 is a worthy addition to any esteemed wine cellar.

Founded in 1824 in the east Highland foothills of the Grampian Mountains, Fettercairn is a distillery that is very much on the up in recent years. A redeveloped brand at the distillery and an increased focus on prestige bottlings, it is beginning to be more recognised around the world for the unique spirit that comes off it’s elegant stills.

A whisky of renowned purity and finesse, Fettercairn’s classic style is achieved courtesy of a unique still cooling process by which irrigation tubes drench the stills in cool, pure water, cooling the copper causing the harsher oils and phenolic in the vapour to fall back into the still, rather than proceed into the spirit safe.

With ineffably fine spirit and patient devotion to maturation, Fettercairn is best at older age statements, making casks with in-built age a particularly compelling proposition. A stable mate of Dalmore, one of the most sought-after malts in the world, Fettercairn is a no-brainier to buy into while its still available at reasonable prices. Much like Glenrothes followed Macallan into the realm of rarefied for exclusivity, Fettercairn is sure to follow Dalmore into the stratosphere given time.


We are pleased to have secured this superb 12-year-old cask of Fettercairn at an excellent price and with a classic, delicate nutty malt profile it is exactly what you want from a Bourbon-aged Highlander. Still above 60% at this age, look for this to age gracefully for many years to come. Really no need to rush this one.

Wine Advocate (97)

Fonseca has scored in both the 1991 and 1992 vintages. The 1992 is a majestic young port that should ultimately rival, perhaps even surpass this house's most recent great efforts (1985, 1977, 1970, 1963). This colossal vintage port reveals a nearly opaque black/purple color, and an explosive nose of jammy black fruits, licorice, chocolate, and spices. Extremely full-bodied and unctuously-textured, this multi-layered, enormously-endowed port reveals a finish that lasts for over a minute. It is a magnificent port that will age well for 30-40 years. Importer: Kobrand, Inc., New York, NY; tel. (212) 490-9300.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2000 Fonseca continues to exude finesse and focus on the nose, with pure blackberry, juniper berries, licorice and a touch of sloes, perhaps as Adrian Bridge remarked, just beginning to close after ten years in bottle. The palate is underpinned by very fine tannins, a sensual, svelte texture with wonderful acidity. The harmony and symmetry is alluring, the finish precise and demonstrating the persistency to suggest a long future ahead. Drink 2020-2060.

Wine Advocate (97-99)

The Fonseca 2011 is typically more forthcoming on the nose compared to the bashful Croft: a strident bouquet with lifted scents of freshly picked blackberries, kirsch, crushed stone and a dash of Hoi Sin and oyster sauce. It is very well-defined, very focused and direct. The palate is silky smooth with not a rough edge in sight, though not a typically voluptuous Fonseca because of the keen thread of acidity and the structure that lends this mighty Port wonderful backbone. A slight viscosity on the finish lacquers the tongue and indicates a core of sweet fruit is ticking away underneath that will surely explode several years after bottling. A tincture of salted licorice on the aftertaste is very attractive. This will turn out to become an outstanding Fonseca, the growing season taming its exuberance with spectacular results. So much potential, but just 6,000 cases were produced. Tasted May 2013.

Wine Advocate (97-99)

The Fonseca 2011 is typically more forthcoming on the nose compared to the bashful Croft: a strident bouquet with lifted scents of freshly picked blackberries, kirsch, crushed stone and a dash of Hoi Sin and oyster sauce. It is very well-defined, very focused and direct. The palate is silky smooth with not a rough edge in sight, though not a typically voluptuous Fonseca because of the keen thread of acidity and the structure that lends this mighty Port wonderful backbone. A slight viscosity on the finish lacquers the tongue and indicates a core of sweet fruit is ticking away underneath that will surely explode several years after bottling. A tincture of salted licorice on the aftertaste is very attractive. This will turn out to become an outstanding Fonseca, the growing season taming its exuberance with spectacular results. So much potential, but just 6,000 cases were produced. Tasted May 2013.

James Suckling (98)

Lots of ripe fruit here with raisins and wet earth that turn to violets and hot stones. Full-bodied, tannic and powerful with fantastic grip and intensity. Grabs you. Impressive. Drink in 2025.

James Suckling (98)

Lots of ripe fruit here with raisins and wet earth that turn to violets and hot stones. Full-bodied, tannic and powerful with fantastic grip and intensity. Grabs you. Impressive. Drink in 2025.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2017 Vintage Port, not quite bottled when originally seen, has now been in bottle for a couple of years. It is a field blend (with typical grapes like Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesca, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca) aged for approximately 20 months in used French oak. It comes in with 98 grams of residual sugar. This is a great Fonseca, distinctive, with a touch of eucalyptus and plums, but also loaded with delicious fruit. Like its Taylor's siblings, there is also a fine backbone. I'd say it is a step behind the Taylor's duo this year, but not by much. It will age well, to say the least.