2016 Churchill

The 2016 Vintage Port, bottled a bit more than two weeks before tasting, is a field blend coming in at 103 grams of residual sugar. It is a blend of Quinta da Gricha and other properties the producer owns. It starts with a little eucalyptus and violets. Then, it shows that it is more focused and lifted than the producer's Gricha this issue. That's not to say it is better—the Gricha is rounder, lusher and sexier. Pick 'em. Certainly, this has pure and beautiful fruit too. The freshness is more evident here, along with power, but it seems to be more a different side of the coin than a head-and-shoulders improvement. It is elegant and beautiful.

Like the Quinta da Gricha, extremely dark blackish, blueish purple. So much more complex on the nose! A real fan of warm prune notes, with some elegance on the end. The fruit almost hides the considerable tannin but this is notably fresh. It may not be the longest living 2016 vintage port but is an absolute charmer and is so fresh and persistent. (JR)