Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port 2016

Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port 2016

Producer Tasting Note:

Aromas suggesting bergamot and tea-leaf, as well as floral aromas of rockrose and violets. Substantial on the palate, showing ripe, black fruit and liquorice. The seamless, peppery tannins give freshness and excellent structure.

The core of Smith Woodhouse wines come from the Quinta da Madalena vineyard, set in the very heart of the Rio Torto, and are made mostly from a field blend of old vines producing very low fruit yields (just 200g per vine in 2016).

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"A serious Port in the making, with dark currant paste, warmed fig sauce and blackberry reduction flavors pouring through. The brambly grip is deeply embedded and there are gorgeous ganache and licorice snap notes hanging on the finish. Hefty and broad, yet this has cut and energy in reserve."

97/100 points, WINE SPECTATOR, December 2018

"The 2016 Vintage Port is an equal blend of old vines and Touriga Franca, coming in with 113 grams per liter of residual sugar. Fresher, livelier and lusher than the Warre's this issue—which is the most accessible of the Symington declarations—it is also going to be approachable relatively young. This is a fine Port, but it's not truly made for greatness. If it is not quite as rich and decadent as Warre's, it is more lifted on the finish, with a sunny feel and a more aromatic beginning. I liked them about equally well, but the styles are certainly different. Neither may be the best agers. Bottled in May 2018, there were 1,500 cases produced." Drink 2020 - 2056

91/100 points, Mark Squires, WINE ADVOCATE, July 2018

"Full and rich, the wine has dark tannins and dense blackberry flavors. It is generous wine—juicy, perfumed and layered with impressive tannins. This is a wine with a long-term future, drink from 2028."

94/100 points, Roger Voss, WINE ENTHUSIAST, December 2018