Smith Woodhouse 1977
Vintage Port
A classic Vintage with tremendous structure and fruit.
Description
This wine is a sheer delight and truly deserves its numerous accolades... intense cherry aromas, full bodied with well-knit tannins.
Judged at a blind tasting the finest of all 1977 Vintage Ports by Decanter Magazine panel which included two Master of Wine and four Port Shippers.
Our Expert's Recommendation
"This wine is now beginning to reach its full maturity and is likely to be ready for drinking. As it ages further, it will begin to develop gently into a more tawny style wine. This wine confirms Smith Woodhouse as one of the top Vintage Port producers."
Press Comments
Great dark color. Intense aromas of blackberry, stem and earth. Very powerful and youthful nose. Fullbodied
and medium-sweet, with lots of milk chocolate, spice and berry character. Layered and balanced.
So enjoyable. But just a baby. It is really fantastic. Underrated by many, including me. Drink now
through 2020. —J.S.
"Great dark color. Intense aromas of blackberry, stem and earth. Very powerful and youthful nose. Full-bodied and medium-sweet, with lots of milk chocolate, spice and berry character. Layered and balanced. So enjoyable. But just a baby. It is really fantastic. Underrated by many, including me."
“Exceptionally concentrated-looking mid crimson with some blue still evident. Big and fruity and alcoholic – California style! A note that is slightly green on the nose. Big and bold and impressive but is all this swagger what vintage port is really about? Tough tannins on the finish. A brute of a wine”.
"Very good colour. Full, firm, rich and very vigorous on the nose. This is a splendid example. Still very youthful. Full body. Still vestiges of the tannic structure. Lovely fruit and very good grip. A virile wine. High class. Fine long finish. Fine plus."
"…black, ruby rimmed; prune and blackberry-like nose; voluptuous…still relatively immature, sweet, rich, well-endowed with tannin and acidity and clearly with a good future."
"Good full, youthful colour. Rich, full and harmonious. Fullish on the palate. Lovely plum, raspberry fruit. Fresh and balanced. Very good grip. Long and classy. Only just ready. This is very good indeed, even for a 1977."
"Smith Woodhouse: black in colour; big, intense, fleshy and complete. Probably the wine of the vintage: impressive now and for years to come."
"When it comes to the 1977, I am tempted to echo Professor Saintsbury and claim that I have never had a better ’77 than Smith Woodhouse…"
"I found some of the lesser-known wines more impressive, including Gould Campbell (96) and Smith Woodhouse (99). The latter may be the greatest value in Vintage Port at the moment,… if you can find it – and its an absolutely gorgeous Port to drink. So what’ a good strategy for buying ’77 vintage Port? In terms for sheer quality for money, it’s crazy not to buy some ’77 Smith Woodhouse…"
Additional Information
For more information about Smith Woodhouse, please visit
http://www.smithwoodhouse.com/