2003 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:46 pm
A bin end, though that's a bit of a misnomer as I only ever purchased the one bottle. I am very fond of the 2003 Noval, and wanted to try something else from 2003 for a comparison.
2003 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port
Very deep garnet, with hints of purple. Opaque due to the deep color. Fades to ruby and pink near the edge.
A rich a luscious nose, but smells primarily of grapes. There's a little bit of alcohol, too, but it's not bad. The fruits tend toward the red end of things, but with an undertone that seems closer to purple berries.
The tannins are fairly strong in the mouth, but not overpowering. There's a lot of fruit exploding across the palate. This feels and tastes rougher than the Noval, which gives me the impression that it might actually age better. Where the Noval gives me a distinct impression of milk chocolate, the Smith Woodhouse feels like the components are there but just not properly put together to generate that note. It gives a feeling more like a 90+% dark chocolate - somewhat dry, somewhat gritty, but powerfully rich.
The finish is fairly long and fruity, with an underlying backbone of grape skin and maybe some grape stem. Some Granny Smith apple fades in and out too.
A very nice Port, but I'd give this one time. The Noval drinks so well right now that it's hard to keep my hands off of it, whereas this one would theoretically have the chance to age in my cellar if I had more of it.
2003 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port
Very deep garnet, with hints of purple. Opaque due to the deep color. Fades to ruby and pink near the edge.
A rich a luscious nose, but smells primarily of grapes. There's a little bit of alcohol, too, but it's not bad. The fruits tend toward the red end of things, but with an undertone that seems closer to purple berries.
The tannins are fairly strong in the mouth, but not overpowering. There's a lot of fruit exploding across the palate. This feels and tastes rougher than the Noval, which gives me the impression that it might actually age better. Where the Noval gives me a distinct impression of milk chocolate, the Smith Woodhouse feels like the components are there but just not properly put together to generate that note. It gives a feeling more like a 90+% dark chocolate - somewhat dry, somewhat gritty, but powerfully rich.
The finish is fairly long and fruity, with an underlying backbone of grape skin and maybe some grape stem. Some Granny Smith apple fades in and out too.
A very nice Port, but I'd give this one time. The Noval drinks so well right now that it's hard to keep my hands off of it, whereas this one would theoretically have the chance to age in my cellar if I had more of it.