Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2004
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%
- Dosage: 8 g/l
- Sizes Available: 750ml, 1.5L
- Pack Size: 6/750ml
- Varietals: Proprietary secret
Recent Press
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Score: 91 Points
Wine & Spirits Author: Josh Greene
Date: Friday, December 16, 2016Pol Roger's tete de cuvee emphasizes pinot noir over chardonnay, all of the grapes from grands crus. And this is a grand wine, powerful and supple, with limestone abrasion at the service of its style. That style feels very buttoned up and very British - nutty, mature and rich-- even as the wine has potential to continue developing.Grade: Year's Best! -
Score: 94 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Alison Napjus
Date: Friday, October 28, 2016This creamy version has a subtle richness, folded into a fresh, elegant frame. Shows layers of crme de cassis, toast and pastry cream, with citrus peel, smoky mineral and spice accents echoing on the long finish. Drink now through 2027. -
Score: 94 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Alison Napjus
Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2016Theres a subtle richness to this creamy Champagne, folded into a fresh, elegant frame. Shows layers of crme de cassis, toast and pastry cream. Drink now through 2027. -
The Wine Advocate Author: Stephan Reinhardt
Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2016"An intense golden-yellow color dresses the Pol Roger prestige cuve 2004 Sir Winston Churchill, which opens with a clear, deep, dense, ripe, fresh, pure and elegant bouquet of matured apples, apricots and lemon flavors along with exciting spicy flavors. Although this Brut is already more than 11-years-old, it is dew-fresh and still developing--slowly. This Champagne is highly complex and well structured on the palate, with grapefruit flavors; it is a full-bodied and intense, yet very firm, persistent, fresh and very elegant assemblage of unnamed Grand Cru Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. It reveals a very long and complex, powerful but stimulating finish, and obviously, an eternal youth. The finish is powerful and stringent, and reveals a great, great aging potential. The wine is somewhat restrained and too compact at the moment though, and should benefit from a longer bottle aging. "Grade: 95+ Points -
Score: 94 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Alison Napjus
Date: Monday, February 29, 2016"Refined and lacy, this vibrant Champagne shows rich mineral character and ripe flavors of baked plum, spun honey, brioche and lemon curd, set in an elegant, finely meshed framework. Drink now through 2029. " -
Score: 98 Points
Decanter Date: Monday, February 29, 2016 "Sir Winston is looking particularly dignified and refined in 2004, with a surprisingly primary, youthful air, yet all the understated poise that one can expect of this classic cuve. A cascade of impeccably refined acidity swirls into a river of minerality that flows deep and swift all the way to the distant horizon. Effortless grace and youthful vigour lurk under that distinguished exterior."
