1997 Smith Woodhouse
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Alex Bridgeman
- Graham’s 1948
- Posts: 14906
- Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
1997 Smith Woodhouse
Sold by the glass in El Vino, Fleet Street. Dark red in colour, solid rim, opaque centre. Closed on the nose, a touch of heat and a hint of blackcurrant. Fiercely acidic on the palate, but with a sweet dense fruit trying to get past. Light, slightly astringent tannins take a noticeable grip on the palate. Sweet cherry and black berry fruits dominate the aftertaste and finish. This is at least a decade away from being ready for drinking and is very unblanced. 81/100. Drunk 14 Feb 2012.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
Re: 1997 Smith Woodhouse
Quite green on the nose - slightly tanky. Very dark, almost black. Big dark fruits on the palate medium weight. Good Port, but not great Port. Perhaps needs a few years to compose itself?
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: 1997 Smith Woodhouse
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: 1997 Smith Woodhouse
I thought this was drinking rather nicely a couple of years ago.
However, the bottle at BBR in December was also a bit awkward (albeit showing much older than this bottle from El Vino's seems to have been)
In view of this, I will save my one bottle (courtesy of Zelandkh) for a little while.
Of course, if you decide you need to shift some of the bottles you acquired for £97 per case from BBR....i'm sure i could still be tempted!
However, the bottle at BBR in December was also a bit awkward (albeit showing much older than this bottle from El Vino's seems to have been)
In view of this, I will save my one bottle (courtesy of Zelandkh) for a little while.
Of course, if you decide you need to shift some of the bottles you acquired for £97 per case from BBR....i'm sure i could still be tempted!
Rob C.