Description
The Madalena “Quinta” (Portuguese for estate vineyard) forms the backbone of Smith Woodhouse’s great Vintage Ports in classic, or declared years. In non-classic, or undeclared years the finest of these top quality grapes are used to produce the Single Quinta Madalena Vintage Port. These grapes are also used to produce Smith Woodhouse’s Traditional Late Bottle Vintage, and Aged Tawny ports.

 92 Points
"The wine keeps getting better with air: At first, the chocolate richness contrasts or conflicts with the peppery heat. And even as it feels ungainly, the violet, licorice and walnut-skin elements not yet completely formed, it also feels completely balanced, The black chunkiness slowly yields to a thyme component, the wine's power deceptively gloved within that balance. A Big Night wine, ready to drink ten to fifteen years from the vintage.”- Joshua Greene, Wine & Spirits, April 2002

Origin
Smith Woodhouse is a small family owned and operated wine producer that was established by three brothers over 200 ago.  Over these many years, winery has quietly prospered, intentionally maintaining a low profile.  The wines are crafted with grapes carefully harvested by hand from the tiny Madalena vineyard (42 acres) in the Rio Torto Valley. 

Today, Smith Woodhouse belongs to the Symington family, fourth generation Port producers,  Smith Woodhouse has prospered under the family's ownership and the company has produced a succession of outstanding Vintage Ports.  Independent parties and professional tasters alike view the Smith Woodhouse 1977 Vintage bottling as the best wine of the vintage.