2018 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, Pol Roger
Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is only ever made in the great vintages, and always with the great man’s personal preference in mind: a robust and full-bodied Champagne that develops incredible depth with age. The exact blend, as ever, is a closely guarded secret, but Pinot plays a starring role. The Pinot dominance gives structure, depth, and breadth to the wine, whilst Chardonnay gives a mineral, vibrant, savoury top note and a fresh thread of acidity. All the fruit comes from grand cru vineyards which were already under vine in Churchill’s lifetime. 2018 was a warm year, yet the wine displays deceptively high acidity, making it approachable and refreshing. Fresh and linear on the nose with subtle hints of pineapple and pastry. There’s a wonderful lacy texture to the fruit on the palate, coupled with Pol’s trademark fine, elegant mousse. This is vibrant and open, with layers of red berry fruit, culminating in a very mineral and persistent finish with just a hint of jasmine.