Smith Woodhouse 2000 Port 750ml
Description
Smith Woodhouse’s 2000 Vintage Port represents a masterclass in the beauty of properly aged Port, now over two decades old and showing the sublime complexity that makes mature Vintage Port one of the wine world’s greatest treasures. The millennium vintage produced Ports of exceptional quality across the Douro, and Smith Woodhouse’s elegant house style has evolved magnificently. The wine opens with a captivating bouquet where primary fruit has transformed into something far more complex—dried fig, date, and prune mingle with notes of sandalwood, aged leather, and Cuban cigar box. There’s a tertiary complexity that only comes with proper cellaring, with hints of dried flowers, exotic spices, and that distinctive minerality that speaks to schist soils.
The palate delivers the harmony that defines great aged Port, where all elements have melded into a seamless whole. The sweetness, once prominent, now serves merely as a supporting player to the complex tapestry of flavors—dried black fruits, dark chocolate, and espresso are interwoven with notes of tobacco, dried herbs, and aged balsamic. The tannins have evolved from firm and gripping to silky and integrated, providing structure without any astringency. What’s remarkable is the wine’s continued vitality—despite its age, there’s still energy and life, with bright acidity keeping everything fresh and preventing any sense of tiredness.
The traditional winemaking at Smith Woodhouse, emphasizing elegance over power, has created a Port that has aged gracefully rather than simply survived. As the wine continues to open in the decanter, it reveals layers that justify the patience required—notes of incense, dried rose petals, and antique furniture polish emerge, creating an almost meditative experience. The finish is extraordinarily long and complex, with flavors that seem to echo and evolve rather than simply fade. This 2000 is at its peak, offering the perfect balance between remaining fruit and developed complexity. Ideal with traditional accompaniments like stilton or walnuts, but equally magnificent on its own as a contemplation of time’s effect on great wine. Smith Woodhouse 2000 demonstrates why Vintage Port remains one of the wine world’s most rewarding experiences for those with the patience to cellar it properly.
- Producer
- Smith Woodhouse
