1976 Smith Woodhouse Colheita Port -- (B. 2004)

[Andy Velebil]

I found this last month as I was purusing the local wine store. I had never heard of SW making a Cohleita before, so I had to get it to try. It was quite cheap, $56, for essentially a 30 year old tawny.

I opened it on Wed night and decanted for 3 hours before drinking a couple glasses. It wasn't finished so I was able to try it again, 24 hours later, after Thanksgiving dinner.

After 3 hrs decanting: light carmel color with a bright redish orange hue. The nose was very stunning, with almonds, carmel, and a touch of VA. The palate has hints of orange peel, oak, and nuts. Not very complex and some excessive heat on the medium length finish. 89 pts.

24 hrs later: Still has an amazing nose, the initial palate shows great promise. It has the making of a great Cohleita. However, when it gets to the back palate it just drops off, like a barrel going over a water fall. It finishes with a cough medicine like taste and burn. 88 pts

My over all impression of this is a solid effort at the start and intermediate points, that falls on its face in the end. This SW has the making of a good cohleita, but there is no getting around the back palate and finish. Had it not been for that, I would have scored this in the 91/92 range.