Jose Maria da Fonseca
Brand Profile
Jose Maria da Fonseca is the oldest table wine company in Portugal and from the outset wine has been much more than a business to us, it is a passion.
It is this passion – nurtured year after year, decade after decade – which we share with you here. With 800 hectares under vine José Maria da Fonseca is one of the biggest vineyard owners in Portugal, evidence of the company’s insistence on controlling its wines from source: the vineyard.
WINE PORTFOLIO
Primum White 2002
Lighter in style and fresh, it is an equal success with its ripe apple and citrus flavors.
Primum Red 2001
This medium bodied red wine boasts pretty flavors sof raspberry, cassis and spice, with some nice mineral notes mixed in. Firm finish of mocha and vanilla.
Alambre 1999, Jose Maria da Fonseca
Topaz with red tints in color. The wine has aromas of orange peel and citrus. Very fruity, soft and elegant with a lasting finis
Alambre 20 YO, Jose Maria da Fonseca
The wine is an amber with reddish tints and aromas of dried fruits and nuts. Fruity and soft with a long finish.
Jose Maria da Fonseca Garrafeira CO 1999
Rich with sweet but firm tannins, with flavors of red currant fruits and sweet figs.
Hexagon 2000
Dark ruby colors with aromas of date, black chocolate, tobacco leaves, oak and blueberry. fruity, complexed, structured, full-bodied with soft tannins.
Wine Profile
Primum White
Classification
VINHO REGIONA
Type
White
Grape varieties
Arinto (60%), Pinot Blanc (15%) and Sauvignon Blanc (25%)
Region
Terras do Sado
Vineyard area
2,7 ha
Type of soil
Sandy
Wine production
13,000 Litres
Tasting notes
Colour: Yellow-greenish
Aroma: Asparagus, figs, lime and a little oak
Palate: Fruity, soft and balanced
Final Palate: Medium
Vinification
At 20ºC without skin contact
Date of bottling
January 2003
Shelf life
2 years after bottling.
Analyses
Alcohol: 12.2%
Total Acidity: 5.85 gr/l as tartaric acid
pH: 3.06
Serving suggestions
At a temperature of 13ºC with grilled fish and seafood
Storage
The bottles should be laid down at a temperature of 15ºC and 60% humidity.
History
This wine is originally produced in our vineyard of Algeruz, in the heart of the Palmela Wine Region.
Wine Profile
Primum Red
Classification:
VINHO REGIONAL TERRAS DO SADO
Type
Red
Grape varieties
Touriga Nacional (63%), Touriga Franca (27%) and Tinto Cão (10%).
Region
Setúbal Peninsula.Vineyard area :10 ha.
Type of soil
Sandy
Wine production
69,250 Litres
Tasting notes
Colour: Ruby
Aroma: Minty, balsamic, herbaceous, oak.
Palate: Fruity, balanced, soft tannins.
Final Palate: Medium.
Vinification
Maceration at 28ºC with some stems
Ageing
6 months in French oak.
Date of bottling
September 2001.
Shelf life
6 years after bottling.
Analyses
Alcohol: 13%
Total Acidity: 5.5 gr/l as tartaric acid
pH: 3.5
Serving suggestions
Decant and serve at a temperature of 16ºC with game and soft cheeses.
Storage
The bottles should be laid down at a temperature of 12ºC and 60% humidity
History
Primum is a family of “premium” wines, resultant of the best combination of portuguese grape varieties, originally produced in our vineyard of Algeruz, in the heart of the Palmela Wine Region. The first Primum red was produced in 1995.
Wine Profile
Alambre 1999
CLASSIFICATION
D.O.C.
TYPE
Fortified
GRAPE VARIETIES
Moscatel de Setúbal (Mín.85%), Arinto, Malvasia e Boais
REGION
Setúbal Peninsula
TYPE OF SOIL
Clay-Lime
WINE PRODUCTION
903,000 Litres
TASTING NOTES
Colour: Topaz with red tint.
Aroma: Orange peal, citrus and lynches.
Palate: Very fruity, soft and elegant.
Final Palate: Very long
VINIFICATION
Fermentation stops by adding brandy; it has a skin contact of 5 months.
AGEING
In used oak. No ageing in bottle is necessary, because it does not improve after bottling
SHELF LIFE
Several years
ANALYSES
Alcohol: 17,6%
Total Acidity: 4,6 gr./l as tartaric acid
pH: 3,49
Residual Sugar: 142 gr/l
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
As an aperitif serve at a temperature of 10ºC as a dessert wine serve at 18ºC.
STORAGE
Bottles should be laid down at a temperature of 12ºC and humidity of 60%
HISTORY
Moscatel de Setúbal is a dessert wine produced in Portugal at the Setúbal Peninsula, south of Lisbon, which was recognised as a Demarcated Region in 1907. The vineyards are planted mainly on lime soil. The climate is of Mediterranean type. As elsewhere, the microclimate has great influence. Here, it very often creates nightly humidity and dew point coming from the Tagus River Basin during the late ripening stage of the grapes. This humidity plays an important role, in terms of moisture content, since it seldom rains during the Summer.
Wine Profile
Alambre 20 YO
CLASSIFICATION
D.O.C.
TYPE
Fortified
GRAPE VARIETIES
Moscatel de Setúbal (Mín. 70%),
Arinto, Malvasia e Boais
REGION
Setúbal
TYPE OF SOIL
Clay-Lime
WINE PRODUCTION
7,200 Litres
TASTING NOTES
Colour: Amber with reddish tints
Aroma: Dry fruits and nuts
Palate: Fruity and soft
Final Palate: Very long
VINIFICATION
After the grapes are delivered to the winery, the alcohol is analysed, in order for the brandy to be added at the ideal moment, so that the fermentation stops when the residual sugar reaches approximately 90 g/l and alcohol content 18%. Tradition says that the skin contact should be 5 months.
AGEING
No bottle ageing is required due to its oxidative stage
DATE OF BOTTLING
Bottling upon request
SHELF LIFE
Many years
ANALYSES
Alcohol: 17.5%
Total Acidity: 4.3 gr./l as tartaric acid
Total SO2: 80 mg/L
Sugar Content: 180 - 200 g/L
pH: 3.36
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
At a temperature of 18ºC with desserts
STORAGE
Bottles should be laid down at temperature of 15ºC and humidity of 60%
HISTORY
This wine is a blend of vintages, where the youngest wine is 20 years old resulting in a fresh, complex and rich wine, the pride of the Setúbal Península. It is a fortified wine with DOC denomination since 1907. The climate suffers the influence of the Tagus and Sado River, and from the Serra da Arrábida, having however Mediterranean characteristics, with hot and dry days and humid nights in the end of Summer. Winters are cold but not very rainy.
Wine Profile
Jose Maria da Fonseca Garrafeira CO
CLASSIFICATION
V.Q.P.R.D.
TYPE
Red
GRAPE VARIETIES
Castelão (100%)
REGION
Palmela
VINEYARD AREA
4 ha.
TYPE OF SOIL
Clay-Lime
WINE PRODUCTION
18,800 liters
TASTING NOTES
Colour: Dark ruby.
Aroma: Red berries, leather, cedar, spices and oak.
Palate: Fruity, elegant, balanced with soft tannins.
Final Palate: Long.
VINIFICATION
Full skin contact at 28°C
AGEING
8 months in french oak casks
BOTTLING
May 2002
SHELF LIFE
6 years
ANALYSES
Alcohol: 12,9%
Total Acidity: 6.0 gr./l as tartaric acid
pH: 3.3
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Serve at a temperature of 18°C with roasted and grilled meats
STORAGE
Bottles laid down at a temperature of 12°C and 60% humidity.
HISTORY
“CO” stands for “Clara de Ovo” (Egg White), which is still used as a clarifying agent to soften the wine.
Wine Profile
Hexagon 2000
CLASSIFICATION
VINHO REGIONAL TERRAS DO SADO
TYPE
Red
GRAPE VARIETIES
Touriga (29,5%), Syrah (23,5%), Trincadeira (22,5 %), Tinto Cão (9,5%), Touriga Franca (7,5%) and Tannat (7,5%)
REGION
Setúbal Península
VINEYARD AREA
1,57 ha.
TYPE OF SOIL
Sandy
WINE PRODUCTION
8.800 Litres bottled only in magnum (1.5 litre)
TASTING NOTES
Colour: Dark ruby.
Aroma: Dates, black chocolate, tobacco leaves, oak and blueberry.
Palate: Fruity, complexed, structured, full with soft tannins.
Final Palate: Very long.
VINIFICATION
The grapes are footrodden in stainless “lagares” and fermented with full skin contact at temperatures of 28°C during 6 days. The alcoholic fermentation is finished in oak casks. Battonage is done for the next 3 months.
AGEING
16 months in new American and Allier oak casks.
DATE OF BOTTLING
February 2002
SHELF LIFE
14 years
ANALYSES
Alcohol: 14.8%
Total Acidity: 6,33 gr./l tartaric acid
pH: 3.47
Storage: Laid down bottles at a temperature of 12°C and humidity of 60%
Reviews & Awards
Primum White
Primum White 2002
87 Points
"This clean, refreshing white features a floral, citrusy nose that never lets up. Orange bossom, tangerine and pineapple flavors fill out the mid-palate, while the finish is crisp and tart." –Wine Enthusiast
Reviews & Awards
Primum Red
88 Points
“Well structured, medium bodied red, with pretty flavors of raspberry, cassis and spice, with some nice mineral notes mixed in. Firm finish of mocha & vanilla” -Wine Spectator
Reviews & Awards
Alambre 99
No reviews & awards available at this time.
Reviews & Awards
Alambre 20 YO
No reviews & awards available at this time.
Reviews & Awards
Jose Maria da Fonseca Garrafeira CO
Jose Maria da Fonseca 1999, Garrafeira CO
89 Points
"A garrafeira (special selection) from the Castelao grape, aged in wood and tank for four years. It has dense tannins and shows a completely different view of a grape equally at home in fresh, juicy wines. Big and powerful, it should age well over 5 – 7 years, maybe more." –Wine Enthusiast
Reviews & Awards
Hexagon
Jose Maria da Fonseca 2000 Hexagon
92 Points
"A blend of six grape varieties (hence the name of the wine) also celebrates the six generations of the family at the helm of J.M. da Fonseca. It is a rich wine, full of sweet tannins and powerful acidity in balance. Flavors of herbs combine with black fruit. It should age well over 8 years at least. Tasted in magnum." -Wine Enthusiast