Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill 2012 Vintage Champagne

It is rumoured that Sir Winston Churchill consumed somewhere in the region of 240,000 bottles of Pol Roger Champagne in his lifetime. Quite the achievement for someone saving the country from the Nazis.

But how did this relationship develop and go on to create one of Champagnes most prestige offerings today?

It all started at a luncheon given by the British Ambassador to France some months after the liberation of Paris at which the sumptuous 1928 vintage of Pol Roger was served. Attending the lunch was the beautiful Odette Pol-Roger as well as the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, with whom she struck up an instant rapport.

A friendship was born which continued until Churchill’s death, creating links between the Pol Roger and Churchill families which are still as strong to this day.  The pressures of his post sadly prevented Churchill ever paying a visit to 44 Avenue de Champagne, the home of Champagne Pol Roger, but he nonetheless proclaimed it “the most drinkable address in the world”.

Champagne Pol Roger created their Prestige Cuvée in homage to Sir Winston Churchill mindful of the qualities that he sought 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 with the approval of the man to whom it is dedicated : “My tastes are simple, I am easily satisfied with the best”.

Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill is only ever produced in small quantities and from the finest vintages and comes, entirely, from the heart of the Grand Cru vineyards. This is only the nineteenth release since the first vintage, 1975, was released in 1984.

The wine is honest and lively on entry, giving way to an attractive and opulent texture with a lovely balance. We are then treated to an extraordinary explosion of flavours, elegantly blending roasted almonds, acacia honey, hazelnut liqueur and gingerbread. This wonderful harmony is underpinned by a structure that shows a smooth, creamy and round character.

Well-structured with a superb aromatic persistence, this Pol Roger Winston Churchill Champagne 2012 is remarkable for its complexity and power. One of the finest Champagne vintages of our century.