WINE ADVOCATE - 92 -94 POINTS 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.
Smith Woodhouse is part of the Symington Family. They are declaring 2024.
JANCIS ROBINSON - 17.5 (OUT OF 20) POINTS Eight years since the last declaration in 2016 and only the fourth this century. The Magdalena vineyards in the Rio Torto Valley are slower ripening. A blend of 40% Touriga Franca, 30% Touriga Nacional, 30% old-vine field blend. TA 4 g/l, RS 101 g/l. Bottled May 2026 without filtration. 1,270 cases. Black with narrow purple rim. Smells rich and toasty with hints of blackcurrant jam. Toasty/charry. A note of wild scrub and herbs, which is more evident as it opens. Generous and deep in fruit, the tannins rich and chewy yet polished. The balance is lovely with liquorice on the long finish. Deep, long, powerful but elegant. You really could drink this now, though Charles Symington suggests it may close down 4–5 years after bottling and stay closed for 2–3 years. Julia Harding MW
Smith Woodhouse is part of the Symington Family. They are declaring 2024.
JANCIS ROBINSON - 17.5 (OUT OF 20) POINTS Eight years since the last declaration in 2016 and only the fourth this century. The Magdalena vineyards in the Rio Torto Valley are slower ripening. A blend of 40% Touriga Franca, 30% Touriga Nacional, 30% old-vine field blend. TA 4 g/l, RS 101 g/l. Bottled May 2026 without filtration. 1,270 cases. Black with narrow purple rim. Smells rich and toasty with hints of blackcurrant jam. Toasty/charry. A note of wild scrub and herbs, which is more evident as it opens. Generous and deep in fruit, the tannins rich and chewy yet polished. The balance is lovely with liquorice on the long finish. Deep, long, powerful but elegant. You really could drink this now, though Charles Symington suggests it may close down 4–5 years after bottling and stay closed for 2–3 years. Julia Harding MW
