2019 Churchill's - Late Bottled Vintage Porto (750m

Churchill's is a family-run Port house founded in 1981 by Johnny Graham and his brothers, Anthony and William. With a lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia and vineyards in the Douro Valley, the house treats every grape that enters its winery as if it might become Vintage Port, with foot treading and extended fermentation for all. That philosophy gives its Late Bottled Vintage unusual depth and pedigree.

The 2019 Late Bottled Vintage Port comes from the same Grade A Douro vineyards that supply Churchill's declared Vintage Ports. The component wines are foot-trodden in granite lagares, then tasted, selected, and blended from Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, and Tinta Barroca. The Port matures for four years in large oak vats, which softens harsh tannins while preserving full-bodied fruit. It is bottled unfiltered at 19.5 percent alcohol.

The color is a deep ruby with a violet hue. Blackberries and wild flowers rise on the nose over a resinous, herbal background. The palate is rich and complex, with mint chocolate, cherry liqueur, and wild berries, while firm tannins and well-defined acidity give excellent grip on the finish. It is ready to enjoy now and can continue to improve with time in bottle.