1980 Smith Woodhouse

[winesecretary]

4 hour decant from impeccable bottle

90% opaque still, red rim

Licorice and agen prune on the nose but fresher than I remember it - a bit of Concord grape.

Incredibly smooth silky - rich entry. Prunes, and bramble, and opal plum crumble with a little redcurrant pip later from the tannins which are still present but there’s not much white pepper until quite late.

Pronounced pontefract cakes on the finish. Figgy, very late. Reminds me quite strongly of NN 1960 in that regard, but this is coarser port overall.

This is very good port, not absolutely of the top drawer, somewhat in the Portuguese black strap style. Now fully ready for those of us who like power and fruit, but no hurry at all (by which I mean, will outlive me).