1985 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port

[Stewart T.]

• 1985 Smith Woodhouse Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Tasted blind in black glasses. Aromatically, I get tropical notes like grilled pineapple on the nose, so I am learning towards this being a White Port. Now that the nose has opened some, there are more notes of dried cherry, leather, and a dusty cocoa note - classic mature Ruby Port signatures - but with a certain lifted element, maybe a touch of eucalyptus or mint. There is a savory undercurrent too, almost like old cedar or worn tobacco pouch. On the palate, the wine shows medium weight with soft edges, fully resolved tannins, and a warm, lingering finish of dark chocolate and spiced fig. The acidity is present but not sharp - more of a mellow backbone. Without the benefit of seeing the color, I find myself leaning toward an older Ruby style—likely a mature Vintage Port given the complexity, tertiary development, and persistent structure. The fruit is still there, but it felt integrated, secondary. (92 pts.)

This tasting note is one of several related tasting notes. Click [here] to see the original note in context.