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Fonseca Vintage Port 1997 Half Bottle

Fonseca Vintage Port 1997 Half Bottle 37.5cl

by Fonseca
£49.95 - £49.95
£49.95
£49.95 - £49.95
£49.95

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Fonseca Vintage Port 1997 Overview

Vintage Port from the Douro region in Portugal.

This half bottle of Fonseca Vintage Port 1997 is a beautifully mature and elegant expression from a standout vintage. It opens with a floral nose of raspberry and fresh berry fruit, layered with subtle tobacco and cedar spice. The palate is smooth yet powerful, offering rich fruit, firm tannins, and impressive depth, finishing long, complex, and balanced.

Ideal for special occasions or after-dinner enjoyment, it pairs with walnuts, blue cheeses such as Stilton, and dried fruits like figs or apricots, making it perfect for intimate, indulgent moments.

Tasting Notes

Fonseca Vintage Port 1997 Half Bottle

A classic vintage from one of the Douro’s most celebrated producers, this 1997 Vintage Port from Fonseca is presented in a convenient half bottle format, offering the opportunity to enjoy a mature, complex Port without committing to a full bottle. Known for combining richness with elegance, this vintage continues to showcase remarkable depth and refinement.

Tasting Profile:

  • Deep ruby with a mature edge.
  • The nose is beautifully aromatic, revealing floral notes layered with raspberry, fresh berries, and subtle hints of tobacco and cedarwood.
  • On the palate, it is smooth yet structured, delivering rich fruit intensity supported by firm tannins and a well-rounded texture.
  • The finish is long, elegant, and persistent, highlighting both its power and finesse.

Occasion & Buyer Profile

This half bottle is perfect for cosy evenings, gifting, dinner‑party finales or enjoying a glass without opening a full vintage bottle. It’s ideal for people who love classic, mature Ports or want to explore a top producer without committing to a large format. For anyone who enjoys a glass of something special with good company.

Food Pairing

Food Pairing Suggestions

Here are a few serving suggestions and pairing ideas to help you get the most from this wine, whether you’re enjoying it with food or simply savouring it on its own.

Walnuts, Stilton, Dorset Blue Vinny, aged Cheddar and richly flavoured pates. The wine’s depth and spice complement savoury intensity.

Dried apricots, figs, dark‑chocolate desserts, berry tart and roasted nuts. These flavours echo the Port’s mature fruit and cedar‑spice notes.

  • Cheese
  • Desserts
Why We Love It

Why We Love This Port Wine

All of our wines are hand picked and tried by us.

Our Review:

A beautifully mature Fonseca - floral, rich and layered with spice. The finish goes on and on.

Team Member: Ben, WSET 2

Key Info

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro

Grape Variety: Blend

Brand: Fonseca

Port Type: Vintage Port

Port Style: Full-Bodied

Port Sweetness: Very Sweet

Vintage: 1997

Size: 37.5cl

ABV: 20.5%

Dietary:

Vegan

Vegetarian

Fonseca Vintage Port 1997 supplied by Cotswold Port Co.

Meet The Producer

Meet The Wine Producer Behind The Bottle

A brief look at the producer’s heritage and winemaking approach.

Fonseca

Founded in 1822, Fonseca is a renowned Port house with nearly two centuries of winemaking heritage. Based in Portugal’s Douro Valley, Fonseca is celebrated for its rich tradition, dedication to quality, and innovative approach to producing vintage and aged Ports. The house has maintained its reputation worldwide by combining classic methods with a commitment to excellence in every bottle.

View All Fonseca Products

Visit The Fonseca Website

Delivery Information

Standard Delivery (2-5 Working Days) £5.95

Next Working Day Delivery (Order by 2pm) £7.95

Saturday Delivery (Order by 2pm Friday) £10.95

Orders are processed Monday - Friday

*Excludes bank holidays*

Delivery & Shipping Policy

Sending A Gift?
  • We offer a free handwritten gift message with every order, and we’ll ensure no pricing or invoicing is included in the parcel.
  • Selected bottles also feature our Engrave badge, meaning the bottles can be professionally engraved.
  • At checkout, you can choose from a range of luxury gift boxes, bottle bags, and premium wrapping options to add a finishing touch.

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FAQ's For Fonseca Vintage Port 1997

How should it be stored before and after opening?

The ideal storage conditions are up to 16º celsius and most importantly at a constant temperature. The bottle should rest on its side, thus keeping the cork moist and therefore an effective seal. See our guide on How To Store Port Wine.

Once open serve slightly cool, around 16–18°C, in a large glass. It should last for 2–3 days if stored cool and sealed.

Does it need decanting?

Yes - Vintage Port throws sediment and should be decanted slowly. See our guide on How To Decant Vintage Port.

Does the half bottle format affect ageing?

Yes - half bottles do mature more quickly than full bottles. Because a 20cl or 37.5cl format has a higher ratio of oxygen to wine, the ageing process moves at a slightly faster pace.

This means the wine will reach its expressive, mature phase earlier, developing softer tannins, deeper flavours and more aromatic complexity sooner than the same vintage in a full bottle. For many drinkers, this is a real advantage: you can enjoy the character of a mature Vintage Port without waiting decades.

Despite this quicker evolution, half bottles still offer true vintage complexity. They retain the structure, depth and longevity expected from a top producer like Fonseca - just on a more accessible timeline.

What makes the 1997 vintage special?

The 1997 vintage is remembered as one of the standout years of the 1990s, shaped by a growing season that delivered both excellent ripeness and remarkable purity of fruit.

A mild winter was followed by a warm, settled spring, allowing for even budbreak and healthy early growth. Summer brought consistent heat without extremes, helping the grapes achieve superb concentration. Crucially, the late‑season weather was dry and stable, giving the fruit time to ripen fully while retaining freshness and aromatic lift. The harvest took place under ideal conditions, producing exceptionally clean, flavour‑intense grapes.