TN: 1977 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port

[Al B.]

Decant: 3 hours - Deep red in colour, the deepest of the '77s at this tasting with the possible exception of the (corked) Gould Campbell. Fresh black cherries on the nose, along with fresh grass and spearmint. Very smooth in the mouth with lots of cherries and ripe damsons. Plenty going on in the mouth with very noticeable tannins, tannins that are teeth-furring in their intensity and which take a long time to fade. A touch hot (but that could have been the influence of a warm room). The aftertaste is cheek-tingling and long lasting although brings an odd soapy flavour. This is a wine that needs more time to deliver what may be there, but I am not sure how well it will pull itself together. 88 points