Fonseca Vintage Port 1997

93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$90 list] Full saturated ruby. Inky, brooding aromas of syrupy black fruits and violet. Dense, thick and tactile, with superb depth of flavor and compelling juicy sweetness. Finishes with powerful tannins and superb grip. Not as flamboyantly aromatic as this wine normally is in its youth, but structured for long, slow development in bottle. (May/Jun 2000)"

93 points Robert Parker: "Somewhat of a lightweight for Fonseca, but undeniably charming, this dark ruby/purple-colored wine offers a floral, exotic, flamboyant bouquet, a sweet, fleshy style, but not a great deal of weight or massiveness. Heady alcohol, sweet tannin, and a velvety texture make for a gorgeous finish. While I would have preferred to have seen more weight, structure, and intensity, this is an outstanding, albeit lighter than normal Fonseca. (Dec 1999)"

93 points Richard Mayson (Decanter): "A declaration rather over-shadowed by 1994 and looking good value against its peers. Open, ripe berry fruit aromas come singing from the glass; rich plummy flavours on the palate, ripe and fleshy, wrapped by firm yet ripe tannins that linger on to the finish. Drinking Window: 2019-2050. (Nov 2019)"