Churchill's 1997 Vintage Port

"Churchill's 1997 was the ugly duckling that suddenly matured into a beautiful swan. Being a less mature year, 1997 closed quickly and for the next 10 years was very embarrassing (there were times when I was embarrassed to even show it at wine fairs and tastings). But from one year to the next it opened up and transformed itself! A fresh, well balanced and elegant Vintage, with an impressive aroma of herbs and pine essence." - Johnny Graham, 2021.

A Vintage Port in the classic style; not so matured as the 1994 but with a concentration of fresher “greener” fruit. It has what we call in the trade a “steel girder”; i.e. a good tannin structure which binds and balances the fruit and ensures good ageing potential. Deep brick red colour. Seductive on the nose, with notes of fresh mint and menthol. On the palate, a combination of black nougat and green capers, with elegant grip and acidity.

Produced with old vines from the Cima Corgo sub-region in the Douro Valley, this 1997 Vintage combines the more mature power of Água Alta with the elegant aromatically “green tea” styles of Manuela and Fojo.

THE YEAR

The climatic conditions leading up to the harvest were very favorable. Spring wasn't excessively hot, allowing the vines a balanced growing period. The usual hot Summer temperatures, which reached 40ºC, arrived at exactly the right moment in mid-August and lasted throughout September, interrupted only by some welcome rains at the end of August. The final ripening period proved to be a decisive factor in the excellent quality of the wines produced, ensuring that the grapes were at the peak of maturity and in excellent condition.