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1985 Smith Woodhouse vintage port

Posted: 00:04 Mon 13 May 2013
by LGTrotter
With a mention of Berry Bros on the label from a case bought from them some years ago, this is about number 3 or 4 and they have all been pretty consistent.

Decidedly pink in colour, fading out at the rim but no suggestion of browning. Became a bit darker with some hours open. Long 'legs' in the glass.

Spirity on the nose, not much fruit to speak of and this did not change with time open. Almost seemed to get more of a casky smell with more time. I'm not sure that it is closed and youthful, rather it is inexpressive.

The palate is clean with cherryade on the front fading a little too quickly and drying to sloes.I wonder if there is a bit of a hole in the middle. Again time in the air does not make much difference to it. The spirit on the nose is present but not unpleasant or unbalanced. Slightly thin but I may be quibbling.

I am always fond of the 1985s as I bought them because I liked them without relying on the opinion of experts. This wine reminds me of the Warre 85 rather than the Graham or Fonseca. It is simple, clean and just a bit pedestrian. 6-6.