Churchill’s announces ‘old school’ 2014 vintage

Churchill’s Port has declared a 2014 vintage, one of the few to do so, and the wine will only be available in magnums and half bottles.

The fruit was sourced from old vineyards in the Douro Superior and Cima Corgo sub-regions and was picked early before the heavy rains arrived at the end of that growing season.

Founder and winemaker, Johnny Graham, explained: “The 2014 vintage promised to be exceptional until mid-way through harvest when torrential rains fell. Luckily we had decided to pick early, before the rains struck, [and] have been rewarded by a small but spectacular crop.”

He went on to describe the wine as having, “a freshness of fruit with a solid tannic structure. In style, it is more of an ‘old-school’ vintage and it has, what we used to call in the trade, a steel girder or backbone which will ensure the excellent longevity required for maturing a classic Vintage Port.”

Churchill’s has also announced that the “uniqueness” of the vintage has prompted it to create a special label for the wine and it will only be offered in magnums and half bottles.

CEO Maria Emilia Campos explained: “When we realised that we would be lucky enough to be able to declare the 2014 vintage, we wanted to do something memorable. Although excellent, the vintage was small so we decided to focus on half bottles and magnums only.

“Magnums are perfect for port lovers, wanting to share a glass or two after a dinner party, and half bottles allow consumers new to port to try a Vintage port without buying a full bottle.”

Earlier in September Quinta do Noval announced it was following its “slightly eccentric path” and announcing a 2014 vintage. Managing director said the wine was “irresistible” but that only 1,000 cases had been produced.