For The Love Of Port

Group tasting done blind on 11/3/2017 of Smith Woodhouse from 1977 to 1995, specifically a 1997 (magnum--split in two and in each flight), a 1985, 1991, 1994 and a 1995 Madalena. Overall, the Ports were of the same caliber (score range), but with distinct differences. Going in all we knew was there where 6 Smith Woodhouse VPs. The 1991 was a touch hot, the 1977 was a touch oxidised, the 1985 was nice but not overly complex, the 1994 was very good and the 1995 Madalena was lovely. All have more aging potential.

With 13 participants and similar caliber of the wines, it was hard to get a clear consensus except the group favorite was the 1995 Madelena and the least favorite was the 1977 (both halves). Note: except for me and the host, no one knew the same Port would be served twice. 10/13 had scores within 2 points on the 1997 halves. All were decanted 12-13 hours.

1977 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port: Faded Red with a reddish burnt orange rim. Smells of candied raisins/plums which is a minus here. Maybe a touch oxidized yet the taste is far superior to the nose--sweet candied plums with an extended finish of honey. 91 Points

1985 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port: Purple red core fading to brick red. Raspberry fruit mash on nose. A bit fruit forward with a dryer finish with a touch of allspice, grape stem. Balanced yet a touch bland. 92 Points

1991 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port: Wide brick edge with red purple core. Dry red fruit aromas. Dry cooked cherries that finishes a touch hot/pepper, otherwise decently structured. 92 Points

1994 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port: Wide brick edge with red purple core. Dry red fruit aromas. Dry cooked cherries that finishes a touch hot/pepper, otherwise decently structured. 93 Points

1995 Smith Woodhouse Madalena Vintage Port: Wide brick edge with red purple core. Dry red fruit aromas. Dry cooked cherries that finishes a touch hot/pepper, otherwise decently structured. WOTN 93 Points

Cool tasting! Interesting the 1995 was the WOTN. One thing to consider. Madalena is rarer than Nacional.


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Bummer on the 1977. I love that wine, but checking my notes I see that the last bottle I had earlier this year also was a little disappointing and scored 90-91 for me.

As to the 1995 Madalena this is the third time I've had it and I'm consistently in the 92-93 point range...just a very very good SQVP. On the Symington website they specifically said "... in 1995 the Madalena Vintage was so extraordinary it was released En Primeur" rather that waiting the usual 10 years before release. My thought was to hunt for a few more and set them aside for 5+ years.

I've had the 1977 before and it was gorgeous--the WOTN (a couple years back). I have one more magnum--considering Glenn's impression from Chicago, maybe it's in a secondary dumb phase or past peak or we both had poor bottles. Who knows...just hope.

Nice tasting John, thankks for the writeup. I've had the 1977 Smith Woodhouse and it was lovely, certainly not as sweet as your bottle. I had heard that the 1995 Madelena was a superb port when I was doing some reasearch on the 1996 Madelena a few years ago. And since I quite liked the '96 I'm not at all surprised that the '95 turned out to be the WOTN. It would be interesting to see a rematch between the '95 Madelena and the '77 VP.

Cheers ................. Mahmoud.

I bought a case of the 1995 Smith Woodhouse Madelena on pre-arrival and have not been disappointed. They are quite good and holding up well. I've always been surprised that a 1995 would be that good.