2011 Churchill's Estates Douro Red at Wine Exchange

[David Spriggs]

From Wine Exchange:

Churchill's WS 93-point dry red is back!

Even though they have been around for a while, Douro dry reds have been getting a bit more ink than usual over the last few years. You may remember this red from Churchill's being offered not that long ago (June 19) alongside the $50 Quinto do Val Maria. Both wines sold out that day. Well, you've got another shot at this striking Portuguese dry red that, with this kind of price and review, could well end up in Wine Spectators Top 100.

As a category, Portuguese Douro reds is blossoming at all levels. We sold through the value-priced 2011 Altano a few weeks ago, and have another fine value in the Symington Family Duoro Vale do Bomfim 2011 (from Dow's) waiting in the wings. You'll note a common denominator among all these wines. It's the 2011 vintage, a declared year and a benchmark harvest for Port. The dry Douros enjoyed the same success, they just aren't as famous yet! That 'greatness' is partly due,as often happens, to a reduced crop size. In other words greater concentration but less wine.

So how come a wine with this kind of press and price is back?! Well, these days suppliers are reticent to take on too much inventory at once, the logistics of restocking from afar unpredictable, and there is often mindless 'micro-managing' behind the scenes. It could have been any or all of those. Such is the wine business today. But we're pleased to have a another shot at it regardless.

The 2011 Churchill's Estates Douro Red (WS 93) is a plump, delicious red that represents what Portugal can deliver in the value arena. While some of the inexpensive Portuguese wines are ample, many are a bit rustic. The Churchill's Duoro, however, is clearly a polished red from a serious house. There's plenty of ripe black fruits here, with notes of cocoa and cedar. This is made from a narrower range of classic Port varieties: 40% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, and 30% Tinta Roriz. About 30% of the wine sees 12 months in new and used French oak. Fruit-driven and made for earlier drinking, this is a juicy, friendly red with plenty of substance. Unfortunately it isn't plentiful, as Spectator's review says that there are only 750 cases imported for the U.S.. Boa caça (good hunting).

CHURCHHILLS ESTATES 2011 DOURO RED
score: WS 93

add to cart $14.99

From Wine Spectator: Kim Marcus writes in Wine Spectator: (Smart Buys) "A meaty, rich and brooding red, offering plenty of mocha notes to the dark plum, dried blackberry and baker's chocolate flavors. Presents accents of smoked paprika midpalate, featuring a finish filled with restrained tannins. Drink now through 2020. 750 cases imported."