Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill 2015

The Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill, Champagne Pol Roger's Prestige Cuvee, was created in homage to Sir Winston Churchill (he was rumoured to have consumed 42,000 bottles of Pol Roger during his lifetime!) mindful of the qualities that he preferred in his champagne: robustness, a full-bodied character and relative maturity. The exact blend is a closely guarded family secret but it is undeniable that the composition would meet the approval of the man to whom it is dedicated. 

Sir Winston Churchill's relationship with Pol Roger dates back to 1945 when, during a luncheon given by the British ambassador to France after the liberation of Paris, Churchill met the charming and captivating Odette Pol-Roger. A friendship began which, indulged by his wife Clementine, lasted until his death in 1965. Each year on his birthday, Odette would send Churchill a case of vintage champagne. So close was his relationship with the family that upon his death, Pol Roger put black-bordered labels on all of their bottles destined for the UK. In 1975, Pol Roger went one step further and named their prestige cuvée after him, producing it in the robust and mature style that he liked so much.

The 2015 Brut Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill shows off the savoury side of the vintage to great effect. Hints of dried pear, sage, mint, dried flowers, lemon oil and chamomile open gradually in this mid-weight, lithe edition of Pol Roger's tête de cuvée. The 2015 unfolds nicely with time in the glass, but I wouldn't think of opening a bottle anytime soon. Readers will find a nervy Winston Churchill marked by notable freshness and vigour more than size. This is a fine effort in a vintage that has proven to be far trickier than most observers originally envisioned. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 99 Points.

The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier 
Country - France
Region - Champagne
Vintage - 2015
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.5%