1980 Smith Woodhouse
Posted: 19:46 Sat 02 Aug 2025
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).
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).