SmithWoodhouse,1977VintagePort

Sans

1977 Smith Woodhouse �Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal)

A great year and a quietly classic house: the â€?7 Smith Woodhouse is now at a glorious, mature plateau. Deep garnet shading to tawny at the rim; the nose is layered and refined—black cherry liqueur, fig and date, sweet orange peel, cacao and coffee bean, with violet, cedar and a touch of eucalyptus. The palate is silken and beautifully knit: sweet blackberry and kirsch glide over lively acidity and velvety, resolved tannins; notes of walnut, dark chocolate and baking spice lead to a long, graceful finish with candied citrus and cocoa.

Producer note: Smith Woodhouse (part of the Fladgate partnership) is known for concentrated, aromatic VPs that age into perfume and poise—often undervalued next to its siblings.

Serve: Lightly cool 14â€?6 °C. Decant 1â€? hours to remove crust and open the aromatics.Food pairing: Stilton/blue cheeses, walnut tart, dark chocolate desserts, roasted nuts.Drink window: Perfect now; will hold a graceful plateau for several more years if well cellared.