P399-23
Churchill Graham SA
Churchill's Estates Grafite White
Douro , Portugal
| Type: | General |
| Varietals: | Rabigato and Viosinho |
| Region: | Douro , Cima Corgo and Douro Superior |
| Vineyard Size: | Churchill's owns Quinta da Gricha, which encompasses 20 hectares of vineyards. This estate is situated in the Cima Corgo region, benefiting from a south-facing exposure and is classified as "A." Additionally, Churchill's has several estates located in the Douro Superior region. |
| Farming Methods: | Manual Harvest in 20-Kilogram Boxes |
| Soil: | Soils consist primarily of schist, with some granite outcrops. |
| Climate: | Mediterranean climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters. |
| Fermentation: | Grapes are chilled overnight, then crushed and allowed to cold-soak in tanks for 12 hours. They are then pressed and fermented for 15 days under temperature control. |
| Winemaker: | John Graham and Ricardo Pinto |
| Elevage: | About 20% of this wine is aged for six months in new casks, while the remaining portion is kept in stainless steel to preserve its fruity character. |
| ABV | 12.0% | Sizes | 750ml |
ABOUT THIS BOTTLE
Founded in 1981 by winemaker Johnny Graham, Churchill's remains a family-owned independent producer representing the fifth generation of his family to make wine in the Douro Valley. The winery focuses on producing wines using native grape varieties from the Douro region, aiming to express the unparalleled richness of this diverse and extreme terroir. The Churchill's Estate Grafite Branco is a white wine blend of Rabigato and Viosinho grapes. Approximately 20% of this wine is aged for 6 months in new casks, while the remaining portion is kept in stainless steel vats to maintain its fruity character while incorporating oak complexity from the cask-aged wines. This complex and delicate Douro wine combines distinctive mineral notes with hints of graphite and fresh lemons on the nose. On the palate, it is juicy and elegant, with a long and crisp finish. The nose also presents delicate stone fruit aromas accompanied by subtle hints of pencil shavings and herbal infusion.
