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1977 Smith Woodhouse (Magnum)
An oversize crowd—possible because the bottles were all Magnums and Tappit Hens—gathered on Wednesday 1st February 2017 at the Boot and Flogger, to taste these large-format 1977s.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1977 Gould Campbell (Magnum);
• 1977 Smith Woodhouse (Magnum);
• 1977 Fonseca (Magnum);
• 1977 Taylor (Magnum);
• 1977 Dow (Magnum);
• 1977 Warre (Magnum);
• 1977 Warre (Tappit Hen);
• 1977 Graham (Magnum);
• 1977 Graham (Tappit Hen);
• Placemats;
• Food order;
• Planning and arrangements.

70% opacity, warm dark red. Soft fruit, raspberry. Tannic on entry, dark fruit, smokiness and leathery tones.Full of fruit, good sweetness, acidity maybe a bit lacking.

A magnum bought ex-cellars in 2010. Deep red, very dark and youthful appearance; brick red in tone. Youthful but rather closed on the nose, what smell there is is quite vigorous and sharp. Smooth in texture with sharp edges and pepper on the tonge. The palate softens with air to allow deep and brooding fruit with a hidden sweet core. Late on the palate some dark chocolate emerges under the sour cranberry. Bitter-sweet cranberry and black chocolate make up the aftertaste and finish. This would benefit from more time in the cellar. 89/100. Decanted 4½ hours