The interest in this exciting Port vintage continues, with a write up from Mark Squires on erobertparker.com and a few tasting notes including 95 points and a great note on Churchill’s 2011.
Here is his note:
“This was blended from the winery’s old vines, particularly including its Quinta da Gricha (50+ years of age). That Quinta, says the winery, does well in hotter years because of its cooler, Northern exposure, and in 2011 they got a small, concentrated crop. Concentrated it most certainly is, plus it has controlled intensity leading to beautiful balance, one of the most important hallmarks of this beautifully constructed and rather elegant wine. It is aromatic and dry despite its exuberant young fruit, and it continues to become drier with air. It is sensually textured and well controlled in most all respects, always a bit subtle, yet also quite tasty. If the tannins seem refined early on, note that there is power and pop on the finish, which shows more and more as it airs out, detracting a bit from that early impression of sensual balance, but providing welcome evidence that there is more potential lurking underneath. It is, after all, Port, and it is no one-trick pony. The fine acidity slices through it all and leaves a beautiful package, one of the top VPs from Churchill that I’ve seen. It’s not the wine that will make you go “wow,” but it one day will be one that you want to keep drinking. On Day 2, after being held open for an extra 9 hours, it was far more expressive. Complex, crisp and solid, this has a long, happy life ahead. I’m hoping I’m here to see most of it. It should age beautifully and it will undoubtedly have periods of time when it seems to be in an awkward place. Its acidity and its wonderful overall structure will stand it in good stead. This is well balanced enough to be very approachable rather early, perhaps even earlier than my drinking window suggests, but don’t commit infanticide. It will show far better around 2030 or so. Drink 2025-2060.”
We have a few cases available for a mere £205 per 6 IB so give us a call (020 7793 7900) , if you want to snap up a six pack of this stunning wine.
Alternatively you can head to the Churchill’s Port house in Soho to taste a range of their Ports and other wines with some excellent tapas. It is a pop-up, open Thursday to Sunday for lunch and supper until 22nd February 2014. Set up up by Max Graham (scion of the Graham family who own and run Churchill’s) and the wonderful Catriona Ramsay (a much-missed Goedhuis alumnus) a visit is highly recommended.
