Pol Roger : Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2018

Characteristics and tasting advice for Pol Roger’s Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2018

Tasting

Appearance
The appearance shows a brilliant golden hue, animated by fine, delicate effervescence, a testament to long aging in the house’s deep cellars.

Nose
The nose is balanced yet initially discreet, with a beautiful patina. It reveals aromas of white flowers, citrus and dried apricot, accompanied by notes of blond tobacco and gently peppered sweet spices.

Palate
A forthright attack is marked by vibrant freshness. The mineral tension unfolds within a structure that is both complex and elegant, lively and expansive. Flavors of blood orange and pastry are lifted by a touch of fresh raspberry. The long, generous finish promises a bright future.

Food and wine pairing

This cuvée pairs beautifully with refined dishes such as 18-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano, stuffed poultry, or sweetbreads with morels.

A prestige champagne crafted exclusively from Grands Crus

The estate

Founded in 1849 by Pol Roger in Épernay, this Champagne house remains one of the few great family-owned and independent houses. Now led by Laurent d’Harcourt and the de Billy family, the current owners, Pol Roger farms 92 hectares of vineyards across around twenty Grands Crus. A member of the Primum Familiae Vini, the house stands out for having some of the deepest cellars in Champagne (33 meters), traditional hand riddling on pupitres, and its prestige cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, created in tribute to its most illustrious admirer. In 2024, Pol Roger celebrates 175 years of excellence.

The vineyard

"There is only one answer to defeat and that is victory", Sir Winston Churchill, to whom this quote is attributed, was particularly fond of the champagnes from Maison Pol Roger, “the most delectable address in the world,” as he described it, to celebrate moments of glory and forget those of sorrow.

In 1975, Maison Pol Roger decided to pay tribute to this great figure by creating the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill. Crafted from Grands Crus of pinot noir and chardonnay, this exceptional champagne is produced only in outstanding vintages.

2018 is the 22nd vintage of this cuvée, made exclusively from grapes sourced from vineyards classified as Grands Crus in the Champagne appellation. Its dosage is 7g/L.

The vintage

Autumn and winter proved gloomy and exceptionally wet. Cold set in during February with some snowfall and, finally, sunshine. From April to June, sunshine and temperatures exceeded the averages, triggering very rapid vegetative growth. Chardonnay flowering occurred around May 30, pinot noir around June 2, and meunier around June 3, roughly 10 days ahead of the ten-year average. July and August maintained summer conditions. The vines progressed at a steady pace with excellent sanitary conditions at harvest and high sugar and aromatic ripeness. Harvest began on August 24 in Pol Roger’s vineyards and lasted nearly 4 weeks, under summery weather with occasionally very low morning temperatures. It was the fifth harvest to start in August, and of remarkable quality.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes are pressed quickly and gently. Two successive rackings are carried out: the first at the pressing center, the second cold in tank for 24 hours. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at low temperature in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats. Varieties and crus are vinified separately before the final blend. Malolactic fermentation is carried out on all wines. The prise de mousse and aging take place in bottles in the cellars at a depth of 33 meters. Riddling is done by hand using the traditional method. A minimum rest of 6 months after disgorgement is observed before the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2018 is released.

Grape varieties

Pinot noir (predominant) and chardonnay. The exact proportions are kept secret by the family. Pinot noir brings robustness, structure, and maturity, while chardonnay imparts elegance and finesse, reflecting the qualities prized by Sir Winston Churchill.