Smith Woodhouse Late Bottled Vintage Port 2011

Smith Woodhouse Late Bottled Vintage Port 2011 is a traditional, unfiltered LBV Port from Portugal's Douro Valley, bottled at 20% ABV in a 750ml format. Scoring 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, this expression stands apart from most modern LBVs through its rare combination of extended cask and bottle aging before release.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20%  |  Origin: Douro Valley, Portugal  |  2011 Vintage  |  Producer: Symington Family Estates (Smith Woodhouse)

Production & Heritage

Smith Woodhouse, now part of the Symington Family Estates portfolio, has long been recognized alongside Warre's as one of the houses that defined the traditional LBV category. Where most modern LBV Ports are matured exclusively in wood, filtered before bottling, and released without further aging, Smith Woodhouse follows an older, more labor-intensive path. The 2011 spent four years maturing in oak casks before being bottled unfiltered and then cellared for at least an additional four years prior to release. This dual maturation—marrying both wood and bottle aging—produces a wine with considerably more complexity and texture than the standard filtered LBV. The blend draws on Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and old mixed vines from Douro vineyards, providing the structural backbone and aromatic depth that reward extended aging.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated black fruit that has clearly benefited from years of integration. Layers of dark raisin and baking spice emerge beneath, lending a richness that signals the wine's traditional unfiltered character.

Taste: The entry is smooth and richly textured, immediately coating the palate with ripe plum and black currant. At mid-palate, a core of structured dryness balances the natural sweetness, preventing the wine from veering into cloying territory. Sweet black raisin and warm spice notes build toward a concentrated peak that reveals the depth of both the 2011 vintage and the extended maturation.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, with lingering dark fruit and a gentle tannic grip that recalls the unfiltered sediment-style character of traditional Vintage Ports. Spice and dried fruit echo well after the last sip, rewarding patience.

How to Drink Smith Woodhouse LBV 2011

Serve slightly below room temperature, around 16–18°C (61–64°F). Because this is an unfiltered LBV, careful decanting is recommended to separate any natural sediment that may have formed during bottle aging. Neat in a tulip-shaped glass is the ideal way to appreciate the complexity gained from its dual maturation. For cocktail applications, the wine's concentrated fruit and balanced sweetness work well in a Port Cobbler, where the dark fruit flavors complement fresh citrus and crushed ice. A Porto Flip—shaken with egg, brandy, and nutmeg—takes advantage of the wine's rich texture and spice profile. In a Port and Tonic highball, the 2011's structured dryness provides a more sophisticated base than lighter, filtered LBVs.

Best For

• Gifting a Port enthusiast who values traditional, unfiltered production methods
• After-dinner service with a cheese course at a holiday gathering
• Building a small vertical collection of Douro vintage-dated Ports
• Introducing serious wine drinkers to the difference between filtered and traditional LBV styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Smith Woodhouse LBV 2011 taste like? It delivers a richly textured palate of ripe plum, black currant, and dark raisin, balanced by a structured core of dryness and warm baking spice. The extended bottle aging lends an integrated smoothness uncommon in the LBV category.

How does Smith Woodhouse LBV compare to Warre's LBV? Both houses are historically recognized as the specialists in traditional unfiltered LBV Port, and both fall under Symington Family Estates ownership. Smith Woodhouse tends to emphasize an additional period of bottle aging before release, often resulting in a more integrated and mature character at the time of purchase compared to Warre's LBV.

Is Smith Woodhouse LBV 2011 good for sipping neat? Yes—its years of combined cask and bottle aging produce a smoothly integrated Port that is ideally suited to neat sipping, especially after decanting to remove any natural sediment.

Where is Smith Woodhouse LBV made? Smith Woodhouse sources grapes from vineyards in Portugal's Douro Valley and is managed by Symington Family Estates, one of the leading Port wine families based in Vila Nova de Gaia and the Douro region.

What foods pair well with Smith Woodhouse LBV 2011? Stilton or aged cheddar highlight the wine's dark fruit and spice; dark chocolate truffles complement its richness without overwhelming the palate; roasted walnuts echo its dried-fruit character; fig tart mirrors its raisin and plum notes; and cured duck breast provides a savory counterpoint to its sweetness.

What sizes does Smith Woodhouse LBV 2011 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Smith Woodhouse LBV 2011 worth the price? Smith Woodhouse LBV positions as a premium LBV Port, priced above the mass-market filtered LBVs but well below Vintage or Vintage Single Quinta Ports, making it one of the strongest values in the traditional unfiltered category.

Why Smith Woodhouse LBV 2011?

The defining fact about this wine is its production method: most LBV Ports on the market today are filtered and released immediately after wood aging, but Smith Woodhouse bottles unfiltered and then cellars for years before sale. That distinction is not marketing language—it fundamentally changes the wine's texture, complexity, and aging potential. The 92-point score from Wine Enthusiast confirms that the 2011 vintage delivered on this promise. For drinkers curious about what separates a traditional LBV from its filtered counterparts, or for those seeking a Douro Port that punches above its category without the price of a declared Vintage Port, the Smith Woodhouse 2011 is one of the most compelling bottles in its class.