Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill 2002
Champagne Pol Roger
The friendship between Champagne Pol Roger and Sir Winston Churchill dates back to the 1928 vintage of Pol Roger. This deep friendship continued until his death and created a deep link between the two families. Among his array of famous quotes, Sir Churchill once called Pol Roger “the world’s most drinkable address”.
To commemorate this friendship, Pol Roger produced the premiere release of “Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill” with the 1975 vintage, which was produced in magnum only and released in 1984.
Vinification: While the exact blend is a family secret, it is believed that the wine is blended to meet the late Churchill’s approval and is most likely a majority of Pinot Noir. Grapes are sourced from old vines located exclusively in Grand Cru vineyards. Like all Pol Roger Champagnes this cuvée is fermented in stainless steel at very low temperatures. The wine is aged in the deepest portions of the Pol Roger cellars for an average of 10 years prior to release. Maturation in the deep cellars of Pol Roger results in a wine with a very fine mousse and intense and extraordinarily complex layers of fruit, exotic spice and minerality. With immense pride and joy, Pol Roger created this prestige cuvée to honor Sir Winston and is made in a style of which he would approve. The precise blend is a family secret and is produced only in the finest vintages. This cuvée was composed of grapes from the same plots that were sourced to produce Churchill’s favorite vintages, such as the excellent 1928. “SWC” has been called the “greatest luxury cuvée of modern times.”
Additional Information
The wine displays a mid golden yellow color and continuous stream of delicate bubbles. An elegant and powerful nose with toasted brioche over fresh quince, peach and apricot with an underlying oral character and high-toned cinnamon spice with hints of lime leaf. A balanced palate with weight, power, a velvety texture and a long persistent pure acidity. With weight and complexity characteristic both of the terroir and vintage. A long after taste with a light touch of citric acidity bringing together a wine of undeniable majesty. Already drinking well now and will continue to improve over the medium term.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Champagne
- Winemaker: Dominique Petit
- Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
- Alcohol: 12.5%
- Sizes Available: 750ml, 1.5L
- Pack Size: 6/750ml, 3/1.5L
- Varietals: Proprietary secret
Recent Press
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Fortune Magazine Author: Rachel King
Date: Sunday, December 1, 2019The Champagnes and Sparkling Wines Worth Popping for All Your Holiday Festivities -- "After more than 160 years and counting, Pol Roger is one of the most renowned and largest producers in Champagne, producing approximately 110,000 cases annually. (What might be more astounding is that it manages this and is still family-owned after six generations.) Historically, Pol Roger has found favor with the British royal family (it was served at both royal weddings in 2018). It was also the preferred Champagne of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and the house has honored him by naming its prestige vintage cuvée in his memory. Brilliant gold in hue, look for aromas of butter and brioche as well as hints of nougat and pistachio as it opens up. On the palate, the silky but acidic Champagne is dominated by yellow and citrus fruits with touches of almonds and hazelnuts for balance." -
Score: 96 Points
The Wine Advocate Author: William Kelley
Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2019"The 2002 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is developing superbly in bottle, and the wine is beginning to show wonderful complexity, wafting from the glass with scents of green apple, orange rind and pear that mingle with hints of warm biscuits, freshly baked bread and iodine. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with ripe acids, appreciable structuring dry extract and concentration and a long, vinous and expansive finish. Readers with the 2002 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill in their cellars should be very happy indeed." -
Score: 95 Points
Decanter Author: Richard Juhlin
Date: Monday, January 4, 2016"More about structural fascination than aromatic pleasure. With its high acidity and simultaneously rich and impressive depth, this is reminiscent of the heroic 1996, and is equipped to develop far into the feature. Drink 2020-2040" -
Score: 94 Points
Vinous Author: Josh Raynolds
Date: Monday, December 8, 2014"Light yellow-gold. Deeply pitched aromas of poached pear, fresh fig, orange custard and honey, with smoky mineral and buttered toast nuances adding complexity. Stains the palate with ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors that are given spine and focus by juicy acidity. Closes taut, sappy and extremely long, with an echo of toastiness and wonderful clarity. All Grand Cru fruit." -
Score: 95 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Alison Napjus
Date: Monday, November 10, 2014"There's a sense of quiet elegance and grace to this harmonious Champagne. Refined and lacy in texture, with finely wrought acidity leading focus and length to the spice- and graphite-laced flavors of ripe apricot and blackberry, lemon meringue pie, chopped almost and briny mineral. Drink now through 2029." -
JancisRobinson.com Author: Jancis Robinson
Date: Friday, July 18, 2014"Pale coppery gold. Gosh, amazingly developed and surely a little oaky on the nose. And then extremely refreshing on the palate - much more so than the nose suggested initially. Very dry finish - a substantial, muscular wine!"Grade: 18/20 points
