Churchill’s joins Port declarations

Churchill’s Port has joined many fellow shippers in declaring a 2016 vintage, although quantities are miniscule.

Churchill’s joins the ranks of major shippers who have declared the 2016 vintage, which is the first general declaration in five years.

All have laid out how the vintage was a difficult one to deal with, with a wet, cold spring, a fiercely hot summer and then a cooler end to the season with a touch more rain in September.

As a result, said Churchill’s, “the yields were low,” but the quality was exceptional, with pure and intense fruit and fresh acidity.

John Graham, founder and winemaker, commented: “Natural acidity in a young vintage Port is the key to longevity.

“Our decision to declare Churchill’s 2016 vintage Port has been based on the purity, ripeness and intensity of its fruit flavours, but especially on its excellent natural acidity.”

Just 4,000 six-bottle cases were produced and only 2,000 will be made available globally with an RRP of £60-£70 a bottle.