Churchill’s 2011 Vintage Port – 97 points and iconic gem from Douro

Churchill’s Vintage Port 2011 is a monumental vintage from Douro and one of the house’s most impressive releases in recent times. With a whopping 97 points from Wine Spectator, this Vintage Port is in the absolute top class. The 2011 vintage is widely regarded as one of the great declared vintages – and here you get a Port with massive concentration, structure and world-class ageing potential.

In the glass it has a dense, almost opaque purple color. The nose is huge and concentrated with intense dark fruit – blackberry, black cherry and black currant – combined with fine spices and a subtle minerality from the Douro slate soil. It still appears young and unreleased, but the potential is crystal clear. This is a classic gemmeport where time will transform the power into silky complexity.

The palate is structured and deep with massive fruit concentration and firm but well-integrated tannins. The youthful energy provides resilience and freshness, while the long, intense finish promises decades of development in the bottle. The price reflects the quality – this is an investment in the great Port experiences of the future.

Like all Churchill’s Vintage Ports, 2011 is made using traditional methods. The grapes are stepped by foot in classic granite lagares at the Quinta high up in the Douro Valley. Each parcel is vinified separately to preserve maximum terroir character and precision. After fermentation, the wine is transported to barrels where it is stabilized before being bottled unfiltered to preserve all structure and depth.

We recommend long aging – preferably 15-30 years – or thorough decanting if opened young. Perfect with strong blue cheeses or dark chocolate.

Tasting notes

• Color: Dense and intense purple.
• Aroma: Blackberry, black cherry, black currant and fine spices.
• Flavor: Powerful, structured and concentrated with firm tannins.
• Finish: Extremely long, intense and promising with great ageing potential.

The House of Churchill’s

Founded in 1981, Churchill’s has since distinguished itself with an elegant and fruit-driven style in the Douro. The house combines classic foot treading in granite lagares with uncompromising parcel selection to create Vintage Ports with precision, freshness and ageability. Churchill’s 2011 is a brilliant example of how tradition and terroir come together.

• Product: Churchill’s 2011 Vintage Port
• Vintage: 2011
• Type: Vintage Port
• Region: Douro, Portugal
• Quantity: 75 cl
• Contains: Sulfites
• Alcohol content: 20%