1985 Smith Woodhouse

Tasting notes for individual Ports, with an index sorted by vintage and alphabetically.
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Tasting notes for individual Ports, with an index sorted by vintage and alphabetically.
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Alex Bridgeman
Fonseca 1966
Posts: 15922
Joined: 12:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

1985 Smith Woodhouse

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

BB&R own label bottling. Deep red with significant bricking; 85% opaque. Rich and full of the nose, with lots of dark cherry and cinammon. On the palate this is full bodied, powerful and well balanced. The generous level of fruit is supported by a ripe acidity and a hint of tannins, slightly hot and with lots of spiciness - deliciously complex. A big aftertaste, dominated by ripe fruit before giving way to an incredibly long and dry finish that is dominated by sweet cherry and dry cocoa powder. Terrific port that is in a great place for drinking today. 91/100. Drunk 11/6/11.
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.

2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
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RAYC
Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
Posts: 2090
Joined: 22:50 Tue 04 May 2010
Location: London

Re: 1985 Smith Woodhouse

Post by RAYC »

Out of interest, was this bottle from the stock that came on the BBR listings in the last four or five months?

I bought a couple of those - in part just in case the potential side-by-side comparative tasting mentioned here came to fruition!
Rob C.
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Alex Bridgeman
Fonseca 1966
Posts: 15922
Joined: 12:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: 1985 Smith Woodhouse

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

It was, indeed, from that parcel that came to market recently. It was so good that I must remember to provide JDAW with some on the next occasion so that he can experience for himself a good bottle of SW85.
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.

2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
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