This marks the first back-to-back general vintage port declaration in almost a century. The company stated that “although we may have hesitated at the idea of declaring two consecutive Vintages, there was no hesitation by Johnny Graham, founder and head taster of Churchill’s, in declaring the exceptional quality of the 2017 Ports”.

“There is a raw vibrancy to Churchill’s2017 Vintage Port, combining a purity of fruit with a vein of natural acidity, which will give this wine great ageing potential”, he says.

The Quinta da Gricha winemaking team has been excited about the quality of 2017 ports since tasting the first run-off samples from the lagares at the vintage. “The fresh intensity of the 2017 Vintage stands as a distinct representation of Churchill’s style, complimenting our elegant 2016 Vintage Port in showcasing our vintage pedigree”, says the company.

Following on from 2016, once again there were extremely low yields in the Douro. The 2016-2017 viticultural year was exceptionally hot and dry, with 30 percent to 46 percent below average rainfall in the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior sub-regions. This precipitated a faster vegetative cycle of the vines, and Churchill’s had the earliest vintage ever, with the first parcels of grapes coming into Quinta da Gricha winery in mid-August. These conditions contributed to an intense concentration of fruit and tannins.

As is customary, Churchill’s bottled a small quantity of single-quinta Vintage Port, Churchill’s Quinta da Gricha Vintage 2017, of which the wine producer can offer small allocations.

“We are excited to share these exceptional wines from Churchill’s and once again showcase the Douro as one of the world’s great wine-producing regions”, underlines Johnny Graham.