1977 Smith Woodhouse

[jdaw1]

On Tuesday 19th December 2017, at The Boot & Flogger, as arranged by Charles, we tasted eighteen 1977s. It was splendid.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1977 Gould Campbell;
• 1977 Smith Woodhouse;
• 1977 Quarles Harris;
• 1977 Graham;
• 1977 Dow;
• 1977 Warre;
• 1977 Cockburn;
• 1977 Factory House Blend;
• 1977 Morgan;
• 1977 Fonseca;
• 1977 Taylor;
• 1977 Croft;
• 1977 Sandeman;
• 1977 Offley;
• 1977 Ferreira;
• 1977 Niepoort;
• 1977 Kopke;
• 1977 Delaforce;
• Placemats (with embarrassing typo);
• Planning and arrangements.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Deep red, less black in tone than the Gould Campbell, 95% opaque. Little on the nose, a shade of bottle stink with hints of blackcurrant and coal dust. Sweet, smooth entry but little fruit at first. Lots of tannins wrap around a sweet strawberry core. Lots of tannins, still dry and rowdy. The sweet strawberry dominates the late palate and air releases a pleasing amount of fruit. Strawberry chew aftertaste, which merges into a long dark chocolate finish full of tropical fruit. This is big, lovely, fruity port that is certainly big, but could never be described as well balanced. 92/100. 19-Dec-17. Decanted 4½ hours.

[Andy Velebil]

How come it could never be described as balanced?


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[Alex Bridgeman]

Good question. It just never had the poise and elegance that most of the others possessed. The other 1977 ports were soft, sweet and spiced with cloves with the acidity and tannins melding nicely together to deliver a very satisfying palate. The SW (and GC) we’re both unintegrated - everything was in the Port, but not in a way that was smoothly combined. It was just slightly awkward drinking.

[Andy Velebil]

Good question. It just never had the poise and elegance that most of the others possessed. The other 1977 ports were soft, sweet and spiced with cloves with the acidity and tannins melding nicely together to deliver a very satisfying palate. The SW (and GC) we’re both unintegrated - everything was in the Port, but not in a way that was smoothly combined. It was just slightly awkward drinking.

Thanks. Do you think this and the GC just need more time to come together or do you think they'll stay somewhat awkward?

[flash_uk]

75% opacity, dark red, near purple. Concentrated dark fruit on the nose. In the mouth, young, tannic, with dark fruits. Lovely port, and you get the feeling that it hasn't settled down yet so will be interesting to see where the SW77 is at in 10 years from now.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Good question. It just never had the poise and elegance that most of the others possessed. The other 1977 ports were soft, sweet and spiced with cloves with the acidity and tannins melding nicely together to deliver a very satisfying palate. The SW (and GC) we’re both unintegrated - everything was in the Port, but not in a way that was smoothly combined. It was just slightly awkward drinking.

Thanks. Do you think this and the GC just need more time to come together or do you think they'll stay somewhat awkward?

I honestly haven't a clue. I've a couple of cases of each so I really do hope it comes around, but only time will tell. And who knows how long will be needed? But it's still a pretty good drink so I'm not too worried.

[jdaw1]

SW77: dark dark red, 80% opaque. Plums on nose. Palate very dry and immature. Big, slightly hollow mid palate.

Could it be that both the colour and hollowness have a non-grape cause?