772 | Wine | Porto, 91 to 95, 2000

"A strikingly provocative aromatic display. This firmly-structured, classic, tightly-knit, restrained port exhibits brilliant purity as well as impressive intensity."

"Dense ruby/purple-colored, with an exotic, exuberant perfume of black fruits, flowers, incense, and licorice, this unctuously-textured, full-bodied port is one of the most concentrated of the vintage. Sweet, expansive, and succulent, this large-scaled, but remarkably well-balanced effort is surprisingly forward and accessible (by Fonseca's standards)."

"This young Port shows intense aromas of black licorice and berries. It's full-bodied, with superfine tannins and a long, long finish. Seductive. Fantastic young Port from Churchill. Best ever."

"Full medium ruby. Complex, perfumed nose combines crystallized blackberry and cassis, licorice, violet, spice cake, bitter chocolate and mint. Thick, dense and powerful, with slightly grapey, medicinal flavors of black fruits, violet, licorice, dark chocolate and spices. This shows terrific intensity, purity of flavor and length on the palate, with solid but fine tannins. Ultimately quite seamless and silky, even though still young. 91(+?) pts."