1994 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port

[Al B.]

I love the 1994's for drinking now as well as for keeping. This is a wine that I have not had before and so picked one up from Berry Brothers when they were running a bin end sale a few weeks ago.

The tasting note was taken 9 hours after decanting (when the wine was much better than when tasted just after decanting). There was a small amount of very fine sediment in the wine.

Opaque red colour, uniform into the rim; no brown, no purple. Blackcurrant nose with hints of mint and cedar wood. Slides gently into the mouth with poise and elegance; sweet but less initial fruit than I expected. Midpalate sees more fruit flavours, but less than other '94s I've drunk. Soft tannins and an acidic backbone, balanced but with an odd, distracting sharp edge. Aftertaste blank for a while then a minute or so after swallowing a chocolate residue slides in and lasts a decent time. 87/100.

This is not a great '94 but is a wine that is perfectly respectable. It will probably be better in 5-10 years. Not one of the luscious '94s to be opened and drunk today.

Alex

[Derek T.]

Alex,

I also tasted this for the first time last week and, coincidentally, also bought it from BBR. I paid £23 for it at Heathrow airport and was told it was their very last bottle from 600 cases!

I didn't take a note as I was relaxing on holiday but enjoyed this wine very much. I haven't tasted any other 1994's so can't compare but I would say that this is outstanding for the price I paid.

For anyone interested, http://www.wine-searcher.com are showing a few other sources for this in the UK for around £25 including tax. Unfortunately, my current port budget deficit and my strong willpower will prevent me from ordering any in the near future

Derek