Smith Woodhouse
Smith Woodhouse & C:a
| Founded |
1784 |
| Owner |
Symington |
| Vineyards |
Quinta da Santa Madalena, Quinta Val Coelho |
| Vintage Port Brands |
Smith Woodhouse, Madalena |
Christopher Smith, a prominent figure in the British wine trade and Member of Parliament, who was later to become Lord Mayor of London, opened offices in Oporto in 1784 to ship Port wine from the bar of the Douro. In 1810 Smith's son Newman took over and in 1818 were joined in partnership by the Woodhouse brothers, already well established as importers of wine from other regions, and the firm became known by its present name. Smith Woodhouse built a strong clientele for more than a century, but after World War II, in common with other firms, business became increasingly difficult. In 1960 W. & J. Graham bought Smith Woodhouse and then in 1970 the Symington family acquired the firm.
Smith Woodhouse owns Madalena Vineyard, which lies along the riverbed of the ‘Torto’, one of the tributaries of the Douro, famous for its top rated production. In fact the Rio Torto is acknowledged as having the highest concentration of top quality vineyards in the Douro.
| Smith Woodhouse Vintages: | 1834, 1840, 1847, 1851, 1860, 1863, 1868, 1870, 1872, 1873, 1875, 1878, 1880, 1881, 1884, 1887, 1890, 1896, 1897, 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1917, 1920, 1924, 1927, 1935, 1945, 1947, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016 |
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| Madalena Vintages: | 1982, 1988, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002*, 2005, 2013 |
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Vintage Port tasting notes:
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1963 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Lovely burned sugar, coffee, toffee and cacao in the nose. | Score range | 17.00 - 17.50 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and on top. Sweet. Toffee and pharmacy in taste. Complex and wonderful port with a lovely and very very long finish. | Average score | 17.25 |
| Last tasted | 21st November 2013 | Point this date | 17.50 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
This bottle belongs to Gerda and Ole Vesterdal Private Collection.
In 2005 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings.
In 2013 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1966 |
| Colour | Beautiful pale garnet with yellow and mature edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Cacao, chocolate, roasted coffee, burned sugar, old grocery shop and much more in the nose. | Score range | 15.25 - 17.40 |
| Taste | Quite full-bodied. Mature, peaking and on top. Balanced and very tasty with cacao, chocolate, coffee, burned sugar and much more in the mouth and with an elegant and long finish with some lovely old acidity but will not be better so drink up! | Average score | 16.33 |
| Last tasted | 15th June 2024 | Point this date | 17.40 |
| Comment | Tasted on our vacation.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1970 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Cacao, coffee, toffee, cinnamon and old grocery shop in the quite complex bouquet. | Score range | 15.00 - 16.75 |
| Taste | Medium bodied. Mature and on top. Sultan raisin, cinnamon and liquorice in taste. Elegant, balanced and quite complex with an attractive and quite long finish. | Average score | 16.13 |
| Last tasted | 1st May 2015 | Point this date | 16.75 |
| Comment | At home with the family
In 2008 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1975 |
| Colour | Pale red and quite strange colour for a vintage. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Roses, spring flower and old hospital in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and on top. Easy to like. Roses and flowers in taste. Rather complex with a nice finish. | Average score | 15.88 |
| Last tasted | 24th November 2016 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In 2006 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1977 |
| Colour | Still very dark but mature yellow rim in colour. | Number of tastings | 17 |
| Bouquet | Lovely nose with cream candy, sweet liquorice, herbs, crème caramel, coffee, some cacao and a hint of mint in the nose. | Score range | 16.40 - 17.25 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Quite mature but still with some very soft tannin. Will still develop and be probably better. Balanced and quite elegant. Toffee and cacao and much more in taste with a long, lovely and quite generous finish. | Average score | 16.80 |
| Last tasted | 17th April 2025 | Point this date | 17.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family
In 2010 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1980 |
| Colour | Medium dark ruby with a garnet even some yellow rim in colour. | Number of tastings | 17 |
| Bouquet | Cacao, dark chocolate, roasted coffee, toffee, fudge, cream candy and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 16.50 - 17.00 |
| Taste | Quite full-bodied. Quite mature almost peaking but still with some elegant tannin. Sweet and balanced. Dark chocolate, candy, cacao and much more in taste. Very elegant and complex with an attractive and very long finish. A lovely port indeed. Just enjoy it! | Average score | 16.73 |
| Last tasted | 13th May 2025 | Point this date | 16.90 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in 23rd International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port.
In 2014 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1982 |
| Colour | Yellow very beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, dark berry, candy, some chocolate but also old pharmacy and hospital in the nose. | Score range | 15.25 - 15.25 |
| Taste | Medium body Mature and even old with some volatile acidity but quite balanced anyhow. Still quite elegant and tasty with an agreeable and quite nice finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 2nd November 2019 | Point this date | 15.25 |
| Comment | At home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1983 |
| Colour | Still very dark but with a yellow mature edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 7 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, dark chocolate, fudge, cacao, roasted coffee beans, old grocery shop, figs, tobacco leaf and some liquorice in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.90 |
| Taste | Lovely body. Quite mature and almost peaking but still with round and attractive tannins. Toffee cacao, dark chocolate and much more in taste. Balanced and very elegant with a complex and long and very attractive finish. A lovely port now and will be exciting to follow. | Average score | 16.57 |
| Last tasted | 31st December 2023 | Point this date | 16.50 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family.
In 2017 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1985 |
| Colour | Pale mature ruby with mature yellow rim in colour. | Number of tastings | 26 |
| Bouquet | Cacao, old grocery shop, cinnamon, toffee, Christmas spiciness, candy and ginger bread in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 16.75 |
| Taste | Quite full-bodied. Mature and almost peaking. Will probably be better. Gingerbread, cinnamon and a lot of other things in flavour. Complex and balanced with an attractive and rather long finish. | Average score | 16.25 |
| Last tasted | 16th May 2022 | Point this date | 16.75 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in 8th International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port.
In 2020 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1991 |
| Colour | Yellow, mature amber in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Butterscotch, cacao, some sweet liquorice but also old vat and boots in the nose. Not quite fresh! | Score range | 15.00 - 16.40 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Quite mature but still some very soft tannin and will probably be better. Balanced and quite complex. Not so sweet and with a nice finish. | Average score | 16.70 |
| Last tasted | 24th November 2016 | Point this date | 15.00 |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1992 |
| Colour | Still quite dark but yellow, mature quite beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, butterscotch, some herbs, liquorice, crème caramel, plums, cacao and coffee in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.50 |
| Taste | Almost full-bodied. Quite mature but still some soft tannin. Will be better. Complex and balanced port. Sweet. Lovely, long and rather attractive finish. | Average score | 16.38 |
| Last tasted | 8th November 2018 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
In 2018 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1994 |
| Colour | Still very dark ruby but quite beautiful and slightly mature edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 7 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, dark chocolate, spiciness, cacao, cream candy, herbs, violets and some liquorice in the nose. | Score range | 16.50 - 17.25 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and peaking but with some round and very elegant tannins and will improve. Dark chocolate, cacao, some roasted coffee, herbs, spiciness and much more in taste. Balanced and complex with a lovely, quite long, round and very attractive finish. A lovely port indeed! | Average score | 16.94 |
| Last tasted | 18th May 2024 | Point this date | 17.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Wine Society 18% Great Tasting in Malmö.
In 2024 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 1997 |
| Colour | Still quite dark in colour but with a yellow rim. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Dark chocolate, cacao, toffee, some minerals and still some dark berries in the nose. | Score range | 15.90 - 16.50 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Rather mature but still some lovely tannins. Balanced and tasty with chocolate, cacao and much more in the mouth with a quite long, very elegant and attractive finish. Just drink it and love it! | Average score | 16.22 |
| Last tasted | 30th May 2023 | Point this date | 16.50 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in 13th International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 2000 |
| Colour | Still quite dark ruby but with a yellow edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 7 |
| Bouquet | Mature bouquet of sweet liquorice, toffee, some cacao, dark chocolate and butterscotch. | Score range | 16.50 - 16.75 |
| Taste | Quite full-bodied. Quite mature but with some round and elegant tannins and will improve. Cacao, sweet liquorice and dark chocolate in flavour. Balanced and very complex with an attractive and quite long finish. | Average score | 16.55 |
| Last tasted | 16th February 2025 | Point this date | 16.75 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in 21st International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 2003 |
| Colour | Still quite dark but with a yellow mature edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 6 |
| Bouquet | Butterscotch, fudge, cacao, some dark chocolate liquorice and toffee and much more in the nose | Score range | 16.25 - 16.50 |
| Taste | Almost full-bodied. Quite mature but still with soft, very delicate tannin and will be better. Cacao, chocolate butterscotch and sweetmeats in taste. Balanced and complex port with a long, lovely and very attractive finish. | Average score | 16.38 |
| Last tasted | 25th April 2023 | Point this date | 16.50 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in 12th International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 2007 |
| Colour | Black in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Juicy and dark berry in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Quite full-bodied. Immature and tannic. Mulberry in flavour. Sweet. Hard to swallow. Long promising finish. | | |
| Last tasted | 27th June 2009 | Rating this date | Very Good/ Impressive |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 trip to Douro, Portugal.
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI |
| House | Smith Woodhouse | Vintage | 2016 |
| Colour | Dark ruby almost black in colour. | Number of tastings | 5 |
| Bouquet | Mulberry, blackberry, blue berry but also ginger bread and Christmas spiciness in the nose. | | |
| Taste | Medium body. Immature with lots of elegant tannins. Balanced and very tasty with mulberry, black berry, ginger bread and Christmas spiciness in the mouth with a long, exciting and promising finish. Will be wonderful to follow. | | |
| Last tasted | 29th February 2020 | Rating this date | Very Impressive |
| Comment | Tasted at a Port Wine Fair in Roskilde, Denmark.
Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |