Douro 2012
Terroir: This wine is produced from grapes grown on Churchill’s Douro estates. The areas of vineyard or “talhões” chosen depend on which grape varieties are most favored by the climatic conditions of the year. The grapes are picked into small boxes of approximately 20 kilos and brought to the winery where they undergo a careful selection process before being crushed.
Vinification: About 30% of this wine is aged for 12 months in both new and old French oak casks, the remaining part is kept in stainless steel vats to maintain its fruity character combined with the oak complexity from the wines in casks. It is fined and lightly filtered before bottling.
Additional Information
A deep garnet color with a violet hue. Intense red cherry aromas with hints of sweet basil and white pepper. An elegant combination of red fruits and well integrated oak notes, with lively acidity providing a fresh palate and excellent backbone to this wine.
Recent Press
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Forbes Author: Nick Passmore
Date: Friday, January 20, 2017Big and robust as you'd expect of a table wine from the sun-baked Douro. Just hitting its prime, and, packed with the heady aromas of rosemary and wild mountain thyme, the perfect antidote to mid-winter gloom, and an ideal companion for the heartiest stew. -
Score: 89 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Kim Marcus
Date: Friday, January 6, 2017Offers and appealingly firm texture, with engaging minerality to the flavors of dried berry and red plum. Shows notes of white pepper midpalate, finishing with hints of smoke and black olive. Drink now through 2018. -
The Wine Buzz Date: Friday, December 16, 2016 Earthy aroma with hints of violets, black licorice and cassis; rich and full of powerful black fruit flavor with notes of vanilla and spice. -
Score: 87 Points
The Wine Advocate Author: Mark Squires
Date: Monday, January 4, 2016"The 2012 Tinto Churchill Estates is a blend of 40% Touriga Nacional, and 30% each of Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz. About 33% of the juice was aged for 12 months in a mixture of new and used French oak; the rest in stainless steel. In its youth, this has a rush of fruit with a big chunk of acidity in the background. It is otherwise soft and friendly, with some stonewashed nuances. It ends with fine purity of fruit as the stainless steel component prevails. The slightly tart edge will be more appealing to some than others, but it will do great with food. I confess I rather disliked this early on, but it grew on me steadily, its lively demeanor and understated feel eventually making it rather attractive."
