1982 Churchill

[Alex Bridgeman]

I decided to give myself a mini-vertical of Churchill ports over a few day period, starting with the 1985 opened on Monday. This bottle will be followed in due course by a bottle of the 1991 and then a bottle of the 1984 Crusted.

90% opaque, firm red colour just showing some early maturity. Very floral on the nose, lots of lavender and bamboo over sweet plums. In the mouth this is sweet, slightly peppery, and full of intense and sweet plum. Huge palate presence, with great balance and fully resolved tannins. Massive aftertaste that is slightly hot, then a very big and very long finish of huge volume. This is a really impressive port, and astonishing to have come from a vintage with such a poor reputation. 92/100. 1 hour decant.