Champagne Pol Roger

Sir Winston Churchill Magnum 2013

Maison Pol Roger created its Cuvée de Prestige in homage to Sir Winston Churchill, who was aware of the qualities he sought in his Champagne: robustness, full-bodied character and relative maturity. The exact blend is a closely guarded family secret, but it is undeniable that the composition will meet with the approval of the man to whom it is dedicated: “My tastes are simple, I easily settle for the best. Pinot Noir predominates, providing structure, breadth and strength, while Chardonnay contributes to elegance, finesse and subtlety. Made exclusively from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from Grand Cru vineyards that had already been planted during Churchill’s lifetime, Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is produced only in the best vintages and is always released later than all the other Vintage Champagnes of the Maison, recalling Churchill’s appreciation for older wines. 

The must undergoes two decantations, one at the press immediately after pressing and the second in stainless steel tanks at 6°C for a period of 24 hours. A slow cold fermentation at a temperature below 18°C takes place in stainless steel tanks for each variety and for each village separately. The wine undergoes a complete malolactic-fermentative fermentation before final blending. The second fermentation takes place in the bottle at 9°C in the deepest cellars of the Maison Pol Roger (33 meters below street level) where the wine is stored until the remuage strictly a la volée, a rarity in modern-day Champagne. The very fine and persistent mousse for which Pol Roger is renowned owes much to these deep, fresh and wet cellars. 

With its splendid intense golden hue and lovely bright tints, this wine is captivating to the eye. The first nose is subtle and opens with scents of dried flowers (rose petals) delicately mingled with peppery notes, revealing a lovely freshness. After breathing, a few hints of vanilla and candied fruit come through to complete a well-developed bouquet. On entry to the palate, the wine is well balanced and underpinned by a hint of citrus fruit, confirming the intense freshness found on the first nose. It then shows itself to be enchanting and luscious, revealing notes of zesty citrus fruit, quince and green tea, magnified by deliciously elegant bubbles, characteristic of this wine of power and character. The high proportion of Pinot Noir in the blend lends the wine structure and length as well as a perfect balance of generosity and elegance. The Sir Winston Churchill 2013 is a veritable symphony of sensations

The 2013 vintage is the 21th edition of the legendary Sir Winston Churchill label, with truly exceptional results. It is an extraordinary Champagne, now very young but with high aging potential.