Jose Maria da Fonseca Alambre Moscatel de Setubal 40 Years 500ML

Some years ago, Jose Maria da Fonseca decided to brand its Moscatel as Alambre. Alambre was the name of the estate where José Maria da Fonseca first planted vines of the Moscatel grape variety, and also refers to the wine’s amber color. Dedicated to producing wine in a sustainable fashion, Jose Maria da Fonseca is on the cutting edge of wine production.

Under the guidance of Domingos Soares Franco - the first Portuguese winemaker to graduate from the recognized University of Davis in California - a team of hand-picked winemakers are responsible for undertaking a wide range of research, studies, experiments, and innovation that make José Maria da Fonseca a pioneer in much of what is done in terms of enology in Portugal and in the world. This is a job that starts in the vineyard, covers the entire production process, and ends in the bottled wine. 

Nestled south of Lisbon, the Setúbal Peninsula boasts a unique climate influenced by the Tagus and Sado Rivers and the Serra da Arrábida hill range. The Mediterranean characteristics, with hot, dry days and humid nights, create the perfect conditions for producing fortified wines of unparalleled quality.

José Maria da Fonseca is committed to sustainable winemaking, ensuring that each bottle of Alambre Moscatel de Setúbal not only delights the senses but also respects the environment. This dedication to sustainability and innovation has positioned José Maria da Fonseca as a leader in the global wine industry. 

Aging:Used oak barrels. The age of the 40 years blend varies between 40 tand 50 years.

100% Moscatel. Very dark amber color with reddish tones. Its aroma is rich with dried fruits, caramel, figs, and cloves. On the palate, you'll find hints of cinnamon, complemented by a fruity and soft texture, leading to a very long finish.

The NV Alambre 40 Years Old Moscatel de Setúbal was bottled in 2017, as noted on the back label. It is a blend of the 1985, 1982, 1966 and 1900 vintages and comes with a long cork and 187 grams of residual sugar. This doesn't have much more concentration than the 30, and the texture is the same too. The nose has that bit of char, the finish is similarly long and tight. The style, in other words, is pretty much the same, with the only difference being a little extra concentration, darker color and maybe a touch more power here. There's not a lot to distinguish these two. In isolation, you wouldn't much notice. That aside, this is terrific. The unctuous demeanor is tremendously impressive. The finish is endless. The concentration is attention-getting.While the difference may not be very big between this and the 30, neither is the price spike. Take this one, if you have the choice. As noted previously, these are very resistant and will hold indefinitely barring cork failures. The end-date drinking window is just a placeholder. ~95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

~93 Wine & Spirits

This concentrated wine is dense in rich fruit flavors that are lifted by accents of oak and spice. The long aging yields a dried fig tone alongside vibrant acidity. Drink now. ~91 Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

An unctuous, compact sweetie, with savory notes of walnut, leather and dried herb infused into the date, caramelized pineapple and dried apple flavors. Smoky finish. Drink now through 2024. 280 cases made, 100 cases imported. ~91 Wine Spectator

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