Smith Woodhouse, Smith Woodhouse - Symington Family Estates 2024

The 2024 Vintage Port is the first declaration for eight years. It has an open and expressive blackcurrant, blueberry and iris flower-scented nose. The palate is soft and rounded on the entry, pure black fruit mixed with raisin and fig that leads to a seductive, easygoing finish. Drink this Smith Woodhouse over the next 20 to 25 years. 2028-2045.

The 2024 Vintage Port is also the first declaration of Smith Woodhouse since 2016. It's a selection from the Quinta da Madalena vineyards in the Rio Torto Valley and is a blend of 40% Touriga Franca and 30% each Touriga Nacional and an old vines field blend. The grapes are 100% handpicked. Fermentation takes place with natural (wild) yeast between 26 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius. Once the must reaches the desired degree of sweetness (usually within 48 hours), fortification takes place with the addition of grape spirit at 77% alcohol by volume. It comes in at 20% alcohol, with a pH of 3.65 and 101 grams of acidity. This is probably one of the most accessible of the 2024s; it's floral and herbal, sweeter than the Dow's, charming and lovely. Softer, easier and approachable, you can drink it earlier. It matured in large oak vessels for 18 months and then was bottled. It's more affordable too. 15,240 bottles produced. Drink 2030-2048.

Based on Quinta da Madelena in the Rio Torto, a blend of 40% Touriga Franca, 30% Touriga Nacional with 30% Vinha Velha: again with a good deep inky colour; rich but still slightly spirity and disjointed on the nose (this was the last wine here to be adjusted, so this can be forgiven); lovely plush fruit on the palate, polished yet firm and well defined, some spirity burn on the finish which still seems a bit raw but this is just a phase. 16.5+?