Halves: Churchill's Vintage Port 2003

The 2003 has an intensity of colour and a concentrated berry aroma which enriches the vintage blend while retaining the traditional tannic structure of Churchill's Vintage Port. 2003 will be a big, tannic, fruity and long-lived vintage well worthy of cellaring for a generation or more.

Despite the fact that there was no longer any family firm to apprentice himself to, Johnny Graham arrived in Oporto in 1973. He got a job as a trainee with Cockburn?s and for the next 8 years worked closely with the ex partner John Smithes in the tasting room, on the production side and in vineyard management. In 1980 at the age of 28 he was made a director. A bright future lay ahead but he wanted to be his own boss.

Johnny married in 1980. Caroline, his wife, is a Churchill. Together they formed Churchill Graham Lda and in 1981 he decided to leave Cockburn?s to set up his own Port Wine Company. Despite offers of permanent jobs, he agreed to work as a consultant for Taylor?s while starting his Company. In the meantime local Port farmers had learned that he wanted to set up on his own and were keen to help. In particular, Borges de Sousa who had excellent properties offered a deal. Clearly the wine could not be called Grahams? ? the family business had been sold in 1970 to the Symingtons ? so what better name than his wife?s maiden name Churchill.
In the beginning, Churchill?s rented a lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia from Taylor?s but very soon bigger premises were required. With the Port trade in full expansion space was at a premium. Johnny bought three ruined lodges in Rua da Fonte Nova overlooking the river Douro. They have now been fully renovated.?ÿ

Drink now or Keep

Digestif

Sweet

Full Bodied

dark plum

Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franc?¦sca, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional

Portugal

Churchill's Estate

2003

Contains Sulphites