Reviews & Ratings

International Wine Cellar – Jan/Feb 2002 – Issue 106 – Stephen Tanzer
“Good saturated ruby. Perfumed aromas of balckberry, minerals and violet. Juicy and intense, with primary black fruit and floral flavors. A firm, classically styled, tannic port that’s dominated by its spine today and needs patience. Tannins really spread out on the back end”. 89 (+?) points

Wine Spectator Weekly – May 30, 2002 – Vol 2 Nº15 – James Suckling
“Fantastic young Port from Churchill. Best ever. Fascinating aromas of crushed berries and bark, with hints of wet earth. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with a solid concentration of polished, round tannins and a medium to long finish. Very well crafted”. 95-100 points

Avalon Northwest Wine and Gourmet – Roy Hersh
“After a slightly disappointing showing of their 1994 Vintage Port, there was an exponential improvement from the 1994 to 1997 Churchill VP. Having tasted the 1999 Quinta da Gricha it was evident that Johnny Graham was on course to actualize full potential and would be making wines to compete with the usual suspects. The Churchill 2000 has arrived. The grapes from Quinta do Gricha and Quinta do Rio add further concentration and depth to the Churchill blend….and it shows. Control of the grape growing was the missing ingredient in the past vintages and that has now been rectified as the Graham brothers own their own quintas & grapes. The 2000 shows a dark, opaque oxblood color with wild strawberry, raspberry and a touch of oak present on the nose. A dense, chewy wine with balckberry jam flavor and black currants in a full-bodied, burly style of Porto. I feared I was having a tannic attack but it was just the incredib! le grip that was part of this classic finish. Churchill has finally nailed it in 2000”. 93-95 points

Wine Advocate - Robert Parker
“Complex aromas of lead pencil shavings, blueberries, crème de cassis, and licorice emerge from the dense ruby/purple-colored 2000. Full body, sweet tannin (which provides definition), and outstanding concentration result in a seriously-endowed, finely-crafted Vintage Port with well-integrated tannin, and alcohol. Anticipated maturity date: 2008-2025 ”. 91 points

Wine Spectator – Jan 31/Feb 28, 2003
“The 2000 Vintage for Port hasn’t gotten the hype that 2000 Bordeaux has, but some excellent wines are available. The Ports of 2000 seem to be a compromise between the classic vintages of 1997 and 1994 – with the fabulous aromas of the 1997’s and the glorious richness and ripeness of the 1994s. The best of the 2000 will need at least 10 to 15 years of bottle age, athough some people may wish to enjoy them, with their baby fat, at an earlier stage. Prices comparable to what they were for the 1997s – about $60 to$ 80 per bottle for the top wines. The best Vintage Ports of 2000 include Graham (98), Quinta do Noval Nacional (97), Quinta do Noval (96), Taylor Fladgate (95), Quinta de Roriz (95), Smith Woodhouse (95) and Churchill (95).”

Wine Spectator Weekly – Feb 20, 2003 – James Suckling
· “Johnny Graham began Churchill in the early 1980’s on a shoestring budget after spending some time as a blender and taster with Cockburn. After years of hard work, he has finally come through with a truly classic qulaity Vintage Port in 2000. This Port shows intense aromas of black licorice and berries. It’s full-bodied, with superfine tannins and a long, long finish. Supersexy. Best ever from Churchill. Best after 2012”. 95 points

MEDALS

International Wine Challenge - 2002 - UK - Silver International Wine & Spirit Competition - 2002 - UK - Bronze

Reviews & Ratings

International Wine Cellar – Jan/Feb 2002 – Issue 106 – Stephen Tanzer
“Saturated bright ruby. High-pitched aromas of cassis, minerals, violet, asphalt and bitter chocolate. Sweeter and suppler that the Churchill’s, with concentrated, very intense black raspberry and spice flavors carrying through to a firm, gripping finish highlighted by big, tongue-dusting tannins and a note of cinnamon toast. An impressive mouthful of sweet fruit”. 91 points

Wine Spectator Weekly – May 30, 2002 – Vol 2 Nº15 – James Suckling
“Churchill’s single quinta Port is excellent. Loads of crushed plum and berry character, with a touch of minerals, Full-bodied and chewy, with masses of round tannins. Medium-sweet. Long finish”. 92-94 points

Avalon Northwest Wine and Gourmet – Roy Hersh
“Very dark ruby/purple hue, brimming with blueberry and grapey aromas with a touch of alcohol showing its youth. The flavors of blueberry pie and ripe boysenberry preserves were quite decadent. Firm yet round tannins help add to the style of the Gricha that possesses a lengthy finish. This Quinta has produced two very fine Vintage Ports in a row. I had the 1999 Gricha earlier this year, but with a couple of years of bottle age on it then, it is probably why I liked it a little more than the 2000. Also I felt the tannins of the 1999 had a bit more grip than the 2000 which is clearly softer. At this early stage, the fruit of the 2000 is dominant”. 90-92 points

Wine Spectator Weekly – Feb 20, 2003 – James Suckling
“Churchill’s own single quinta Port is excellent. Ots of flowers, crushed berries and rasberries on the nose. Full-bodied, very sweet, with big and velvety tannins and a long finish. Best after 2010”. 92 points

MEDALS

International Wine Challenge - 2002 - UK - Gold International Wine & Spirit Competition - 2002 - UK - Silver

Reviews & Ratings

International Wine Cellar – July/August 2002 – Issue 103 – Stephen Tanzer
“Good full ruby. Slightly medicinal aromas of black cherry, mocha, shoe polish and bitter chocolate, with a hint of apple. Juicy and intensely flavoured, with black fruit, licorice and mineral notes and moderate density. Finishes firmly tannic, with good grip and length. - 88 points

Wine Enthusiast / Buying Guide- 15/11/02
“Full-throttle cherry and plum fruit is in full force, backed by tons of chocolate. It’s down-the-middle Port, yummy and hedonistic. Plenty of power, weight and balance. Give it until 2010 to fully come around”. - 89 points

Wine & Spirits – April 2002
“A beautiful, deep black-purple color graces this Port from its center to the edge. It seems a personalized style with scents of gun flint and jasmine set upon a purple jam of fruit. Relatively dry, or made so by the tarry tannins, this offers the youthful aromatics of francesa with a tarriness underneath, hard and black as a Colt revolver. As yet unformed, this needs ten to fifteen years to mature” – 89 points

MEDALS

International Wine Challenge - 2001 - UK - Silver International Wine Challenge - 2002 - UK - Silver

Reviews & Ratings

Wine Spectator – James Suckling – 28 Feb. 2001
“Big juicy Port. Black colour. Lots of prune and wet earth aromas. Full-bodied, with big, soft tannins, sweet fruit and a long finish. Churchill strikes big. Best after 2008” – 90 points – Top scorer

Wine Enthusiast – M.S. – 15 Nov 2002
“Here’s a straight-ahead Port that holds nothing back. It’s sweet, with defined full bore black fruit. It’s nicely balanced, with creamy mild chocolate propped up by bright acidity. It is also easy to drink now, which is no small accomplishment for a baby Vintage Port”. – 89 points

MEDALS

Nova Scotia Port of Wine Festival - 2001 - Canada - Gold

Reviews & Ratings

Wine Enthusiast – M.S. - 13 Nov 2002
“Big, bold and grapey best describe the nose on this slightly syrupy offering. Chocolate and balckberry come in spades on the palate, all prior to an assertive, persistent finish that’s defined by a shot of raisin at the tail end”. 87 points

Wine Spectator – 29 Feb 2000 - James Suckling
A bit lean but shows a good backbone of tannins. Good aromas and flavors of pepper and berry. Medium.bodied, with a mouthpuckering finish. Lacks a bit of grip. Best after 2005 – 87 points

Wine Spectator – James Suckling – 31 July 1999
“Dark and inky in colour, with intensely ripe fruit and wet earth character. Full-bodied and lightly sweet, with lots of peppery flavors, medium tannins and a slightly hot finish. Needs a bit more grip to be outstanding. Tasted twice, with consistent notes”. – 85-89 points

MEDALS

International Wine Challenge 1999 - UK - Bronze International Wine Challenge 2003 - UK - Gold

Reviews & Ratings

Wine Spectator – James Suckling – Feb 28, 1999
“This is a big glass of young Port. It’s got grip. Intense grapey, berry and violet aromas and flavours. Full-bodied and medium-sweet, with plenty of tannins and a fruity but tannic finish. Not yet released; best after 2006” – 91 Points

Reviews & Ratings

Wine Spectator – 15 Sept 1997 (Barrel Sample)
“A big, chewy, blackstrap wine, this is full-bodied with full tannins and a medium sweet finish”. – 90-94 points

Wine Spectator – April 30, 1998
“Muscular style. Closed and not giving much now, but this is a big, burly young Port with loads of violet and berry aromas and flavours and a seriously powerful backbone of tannin. Full-bodied. Long mouthpuckering finish. Tannic attack. Best after 2008 – Score – 91 points

MEDALS

The World Wine Championship - UK - Silver
Springfest Wine Festival - USA - Silver

Reviews & Ratings

The Wine Advocate - Robert Parker
"Although Churchill's 1994 is a rich full-bodied, powerful Port, it does not possess quite the complexity, richness and overall dimension of the top wines of the vintage. Is is made in a slightly drier style, with plenty of guts and tannin. Give it at least a decade of cellering. It will be one of the more austere (I do not mean that in a pejorative sense) examples of the vintage. Anticipated maturity date: 2004-2025". 89 points.

Wine Spectator – 15 Jun 1996
“Tough, muscular, boasting very ripe falvours and a hint of earth aromas. Full body, loads of chewy tannins and concentrated finish. A blockbuster that’s almost classic”. – 90-94 points – Outstanding

Wine Spectator – 30 Apr 1997
“A gorgeous, voluptuous young Port, best Churchill ever. Intense aromas of dark chocolate and grapes. Full-bodied, with powerful, chewy tannins, yet it’s sweet and fruity on the finish. Try after 2010. Score – 93

MEDALS

The Beverage Testing Institute, Inc. - USA - Silver Port of Wine Festival, Halifax - CAD - Bronze International Wine Challenge - UK - Silver

Reviews & Ratings

The Wine Advocate - Robert Parker
“As for Churchill’s Agua Alta, it is a big, thick, chocolatey, blockbuster-styled Vintage Port, with considerable tannin, superb flavour extraction, massive body and huge length. It will require 5-6 years of ageing, but patience will be rewarded; this wine will prove to be a stunning example of the 1992 vintage and last for 25-30 years. Anticipated maturity date: 2000-2025 ”. – 93 points

Wine Spectator (1st Review) – 31 July 1994
“One of the most powerful wines of the tasting. Big and very thick. Superb colour and on the drier side; intense aromas of grape, chocolate and berry. Full-bodied and tannic-a blockbuster. Will be interesting to see how it eveolves. Try it in 1995” – 90-94 points – Outstanding

The Wine News
“Spicy clove bouquet with nuances of fig and balckberry that complement oaky aromas. Bright, sweet berry flavours with chalky, coating texture that showcases tangy orange peel and intense tannins. Drying, nutty taste on a long, spicy close.” – 91 points – Outstanding – Recommended

Wine Enthusiast
“Full body. Lots of acidity, fruit. Medium tannin, sweetness. Remisniscent of smoke, brambly fruits, tobacco. Straightforward and direct, with forward fruit and an ample framework.” – 88 points

Reviews & Ratings

The Wine Advocate - Robert Parker
“Churchill’s 1991 Vintage Port is a mild-mannered, less concentrated and less impressive Port than their single vineyard 1992 Agua Alta offering. The 1991 Vintage is a medium weight, dry, streamlined Port with an excellent black-fruit character, as well as fine purity and richness. It will be drinkable young and have 15-20 years of ageing potential. In the context of the vintage and this port lodge, it is marginally uninspiring. Anticipated maturity date: 1995-2015 ”. – 89 points.

Wine Spectator - 31 July 1994
“This is impressive, and the best vintage yet from this shipper. Thick and silky, with an earthy berry and cherry character. Medium-bodied and medium-sweet, with lovely flavours and a long finish. Try after 1999.” - 91 points.

The Vine (Second Review) – Clive Coates - MW
“Fine colour. In an adolescent period now, the nose having gone into its shell compared with last year. Yet, it continues to show all of its early promise. Very smooth and silky. Rich and aristocratic. Yet not a blockbuster. Fine fruit. Excellent balance. Very long and complex.”

Wine Enthusiast
“Full body. Lots of acidity. Lots of fruit. Medium tannin, sweetness. Reminiscent of violets, black cherries, plums. Full and ample with ripe, supple fruit flavors. Integrated and clasic”. 90 points – Oustanding – Gold Medal; Cellar Selection

The Quarterly Review of Wines – Peter Cobb
“Good robust colour. Excellent nose; layers of fruit flavour. This is a big wine with lots of staying power. One of the very best examples of the year.”

The Vine – Clive Coates – MW
“Good colour. Rich, full, masculine nose. Good depth here. Full body. Good grip. Lovely blackberry fruit. This has depth and style. Needs time. From 2008-2030 – Very good indeed.

Decanter – Richard Mayson - Feb 1994
“Heady combination of all spice, cinnamon and wild berries on nose; frim, well built, solid and peppery on palate. Good tannic length” - ***

MEDALS

International Wine Challenge 1997 - UK - Silver The World Wine Championships - USA - Silver International Wine Challenge 1999 - UK - Silver Bacchus 2002 - SP - Gold International Wine Challenge 2002 - UK - Gold

Reviews & Ratings

The Wine Advocate - Robert Parker
“The opaque, black/purple-coloured 1990 Agua Alta exhibits an intense fragrance of black fruits and chocolate, full body, admirable power and richness and is significantly more concentrated than the 1991 Vintage. It is also less evolved and in need of 5-10 years of cellaring. It is a 20-30 year Port. Very impressive!Anticipated maturity date: 2000-2025 ". – 92 points

The Vine – Clive Coates – MW
“Fine colour. Rich, meaty nose. Seems fatter than the 1991 Vintage. Slightly burlier, too. Full and tannic on the palate. Youthful. Rich. Very good indeed. But not quite as long or as complex or as complete as the 1991.

Wine Enthusiast
“Medium-full body. Medium acidity. Lots of fruit. Medium tannin. Sweet. Remisniscent of brambly fruits, plums, vanilla. Fuul-flavoured; straightforward, with a concise, intergrated character.” – 85 points – Very Good – Silver Medal

Reviews & Ratings

The Wine Advocate – Robert Parker
“ A sensational single-vineyard Port. Extremely powerful, with awesome concentration, great length and presence on the palate; spectacularly deep Port. A spectacular discovery I unequivocally recommend ”. – 97 points

Underground Wine Journal
“Single quinta Vintage Port. Dark ruby, with a perfume of bright berries, fresh plums and cocoa, hinting of spice and pepper. Boysenberries, spice and chocolate are on the palate. It is full-bodied and maderately tannic, with a medium-long, rich, expansive finish.” – 17/20 points - Very good

Wine Enthusiast
“medium-full body. Medium acidity. Medium fruit. Medium tannin. Medium sweetness. Reminiscent of blueberries, black pepper, wood notes. A rich mouthful, tapering to a warm finish”. – 88 points – Very good – Silver Medal

The Vine – Clive Coates – MW
“Very lovely nose; rich harmonious, complete, very elegant. Still fresh, but no longer raw. I have always loved this wine. Fullish; very good composure, balance. Lovely ripe plummy fruit. Very good grip, intensity” – Fine plus

Wine Magazine
“A fine, deep colour heralds a chocolatey palate with good spirit. Rich, concentrated and subtle”. Bronze Medal

MEDALS

International Wine Challenge - 1996 - UK - Gold International Wine Challenge - 2002 - UK - Silver

Reviews & Ratings

The Wine Advocate - Robert Parker
“Dazzling; a spectacularly rich wine with a geat perfume of black fruits, chocolate amd minerals. In the mouth it is full-bodied and extremely concentrated, in style a synthesis between the houses of Taylor and Graham’s - not as sweet as Graham’s, nor as backwards as Taylors”– 93 points – Outstanding

The Vine – Clive Coates – MW
“Very good colour. Firm youthful nose. This is still very young. Drier, richer amd more concentrated on the nose. A lot of class here. Full. Very good tannins. Youthful. Fine cherry/damson fruit. Very good grip. Fine

Underground Wine Journal
“Medium-dark ruby, wirth a perfurmed nose of jammy, plum-like fruit, licorice and spice with hints of white peper. The rich flavours of plum, spice and licorice hinting of cedar have some complexity.”

Medals

International Wine Challenge 1988 - UK - Silver International Wine Challenge 1991 - UK - Gold International Wine Challenge 2002 - UK - Gold & Trophy

Reviews & Ratings

The Wine Advocate – Robert Parker
“Reaching maturity, this has an intensely perfumed, complex, earthy, blackberry and licorice-scented bouquet, soft, full-bodied flavours and a silky, velvety finish. For immediate gratification, a beautifully-made Port”. – 89 points – Very good

Wine Magazine
“Sugary and rich, with a spicy aroma; still quite youthful. At the moment, it’s round and attractive, with a peppery finish”.