Fonseca has respect for the vineyard and the unique environment of the Douro Valley which expresses itself in the firm's leadership in the field of sustainable and organic viticulture. It was the first house to offer a port made entirely from organically produced grapes. Using wines from Cima Corgo and Douro Superior, areas in the center and east of the Douro valley, they created a full-bodied, smooth and densely fruity wine, within a style once known as "vintage character", but which today is often known as a reserve or "finest reserve" The idea of combining different vintages allowed them to create a wine that would be entirely consistent in style from one bottling to the next. Half a century earlier, the company had the custom of naming their Crusted Port wines, also made in a full-bodied, fruity style, using the numbers of the compartments where the wines were stored. These cellar-like compartments are called "Bin"; hence the wines were called Bin 740 or Bin 82 VG. Reviving this tradition, Alistair decided to name the new wine Bin 27. A differentiated presentation was created, painting the name prominently on the bottle with white paint and the Fonseca insignia in red. The bottle with the painted letters was later imitated by other Port wine brands, being replaced in the mid-1980s by an elegant paper label. Fonseca Bin 27 has plenty of peppery grip, good acidity and a very firm structure, all in all though it has a nice style, with good substance to it, plenty of dark, tobacco-laced fruits and an attractive roasted-herb edge

This consistency derives not only from continuity of family involvement, and the knowledge and skill passed down from one generation to the next, but also a close link with the vineyard.The firm's three estates of Cruzeiro, Panascal and Santo António are the heart of the distinctive character of Fonseca's Vintage Ports.Bin 27 was an immediate success. Five years after its launch, it was already sold in almost 30 countries around the world, from Australia to Iceland. Bin 27 was supported by numerous promotional activities over the years, among them the sponsorship in 1977 of John Ridgway's yacht, the "Debenhams", in the round-the-world Whitbread race and the production in 1984 of the world's largest bottle of wine. This Bin 27 bottle contained 98 liters, or the equivalent of 132 normal bottles. It had a circumference of 1.5 meters at the base and almost 1 meter in height, and was sealed with a 13-centimeter stopper. Few port producers have maintained such consistency of quality and style from vintage to vintage. From the legendary 1840, Fonseca's first Vintage Port release, to the iconic 1868 and the extraordinary 1927, 1948, 1977 and 1994, all four of them 100-point wines, the house has produced a succession of highly acclaimed wines. Fonseca LBV is the perfect finish to any meal. Excellent with fully flavoured cheeses, especially blue cheeses such as Brie de Meaux or Roquefort. It is delicious with desserts made with chocolate or berry fruits. From the legendary 1840, Fonseca's first Vintage Port release, to the superb declared vintages of the last decade, the house has produced a succession of highly acclaimed wines even in the most adverse moments of history. However for many wine enthusiasts around the world Fonseca is best known as the producer of Bin No.27 . This fine reserve port, launched four decades ago, is one of the most popular and successful port blends. It displays the opulent fruity character which defines the Fonseca house style.

Wine & Spirits, December 2017 – 90 points “A finely blended Port, this has a bristle of tannins up front, melding their chocolate richness with dried fruit flavours, ending clean and sweet. The wine’s lasting spice places it with a savory pumpkin pie.” Fonseca Bin 27 is very well suited for the classic port and cheese combination. A good farmhouse cheddar would be perfect. It is also delicious with desserts made from dark chocolate or berry fruit.

A superb balance of ripe fruit, delicate acidity and elegant notes of wood aging. Full and fruity on the palate with a lingering finish. Bin 27 is a rich, fruity wine made from a blend of reserve wines. It is sold all over the world, with particular popularity in the North American market. LBV was developed as an alternative to Vintage Port for more relaxed and informal occasions. Like Vintage, LBV is a very high quality Port from a single year. LBV Unfiltered is aged in large wooden vats and then drawn off into bottle with no fining or filtration after four to six years. The result is a naturally expressive wine which has sacrificed none of its depth and fullness of flavour. Late Bottled Vintage is bottled when ready to drink. A limited quantity of this outstanding blend was produced.