Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Brut 2015

Winery Background and History

Founded in 1849 in Épernay, Champagne Pol Roger has remained a family-owned house renowned for its commitment to quality and tradition. The house gained prominence in the UK, notably as the preferred Champagne of Sir Winston Churchill, who admired its robust and full-bodied style. In homage to this relationship, Pol Roger introduced the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill in 1984, reflecting the statesman’s character and preferences. The house continues to uphold its legacy, producing Champagnes celebrated for their elegance and depth.

Producer and Winemaker

Pol Roger’s winemaking team, led by Chef de Cave Damien Cambres, upholds the house’s philosophy of crafting Champagnes that balance power and finesse. The Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is produced only in exceptional vintages, using grapes exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards. The exact blend remains a closely guarded secret, but it is known to be Pinot Noir-dominant, complemented by Chardonnay, to achieve the desired structure and elegance.

Vineyards and Micro Climate

The grapes for this cuvée are sourced from Grand Cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs, regions known for their chalky soils and favorable microclimates. The 2015 vintage experienced a warm growing season, leading to grapes with excellent ripeness and concentration. These conditions contributed to a Champagne with depth, complexity, and aging potential.

Vinification & Aging Methods

The must undergoes two settlings: one at the press house and another in stainless steel tanks at 6°C over 24 hours. Fermentation occurs at controlled temperatures below 18°C, with each grape variety and vineyard parcel vinified separately. Full malolactic fermentation is carried out. Secondary fermentation takes place in bottle at 9°C in Pol Roger’s deep cellars, 33 meters underground. The wine is aged on lees for approximately seven years before disgorgement, which occurred in September 2022 for the 2015 vintage, with a dosage of 7 g/L.

Tasting Notes

The 2015 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill displays a deep golden hue with a fine stream of persistent bubbles. The nose is complex, offering aromas of candied citrus, dried peach, and mirabelle tart, along with hints of brioche and toasted almonds. On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich, featuring flavors of crème de cassis, lemon-infused pastry cream, and smoked almond, balanced by a refreshing acidity and a chalky minerality. The finish is long and harmonious, showcasing the wine’s elegance and depth.

Food & Wine Pairing

This Champagne pairs excellently with rich dishes such as duck breast with citrus-based sauces, pigeon in foie gras sauce, or roasted meats. Its structure and acidity also complement creamy cheeses like aged Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano. For a refined pairing, consider serving it with seafood dishes like lobster thermidor or scallops in a butter sauce.

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve this Champagne chilled at 10–12°C (50–54°F) in a white wine glass or a tulip-shaped Champagne flute to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity. Allowing the wine to breathe for a few minutes after pouring can enhance its expressive qualities. This Champagne is best enjoyed in its youth to capture its vibrant freshness, but it also has the potential to evolve with additional bottle age.

Storage and Aging Potential

When stored under optimal conditions—cool, dark, and with a consistent temperature—this Champagne can continue to evolve gracefully over the next 15 to 20 years. Over time, it is expected to develop richer, more nuanced flavors, including notes of honey, dried fruit, and hazelnut, while retaining its underlying freshness and elegance.

Grape Varietals & Percentage Used

Exact blend is proprietary; however, it is known to be predominantly Pinot Noir with a smaller proportion of Chardonnay.

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

12.5%

Scores

• Wine Enthusiast: 99

• Wine Spectator: 95

• Wine Advocate: 94+

• Robert Parker: 94+

• James Suckling: 96

• Vinous: 95