1995 Smith Woodhouse Madalena Vintage Port

[Lamont Huxley]

I drank this over the past 3 days - when popped and poured it was very closed up but started to show well after about 8 hours and has been drinking beautifully since with no signs of dropping off.

Dark, opaque purple/burgundy color with a red/burgundy rim. The nose gives ripe black mission fig and berry fruit, a hint of chocolate, and a sweet earthy/herbal character like wildflower honey. Very smooth, medium bodied palate of dark berry fruit and very mild black pepper spice with that same herbal/honeyed character noted on the nose. The tannins are super silky and balanced by just the right amount of juicy acidity. The peppery, ripe fruit carries through on the medium length finish and tails off with notes of herbs. Lovely balance and loads of finesse - this is a delicious SQVP - reminds me very much of the S-W '95 LBV but with an extra level of depth. The kind of Port that's just a little too easy to keep on drinking... dangerous! 93 pts, Tasted 4/11