Pol Roger : Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2015

A tightly meshed Champagne, with an up-front, broad feel that's quickly reined in and well-defined by racy acidity. Creamy on the palate, with the fine mousse carrying flavors of crème de cassis, lemon-infused pastry cream, smoked almond and oyster shell. Long, harmonious finish. Drink now through 2038. 500 cases imported.

Very complex nose with a wide spectrum of candied citrus, dried peach and mirabelle tart aromas. Bold and rich, particularly on the mid-palate, but with a great deal of subtlety and delicacy for the vintage. This is already delicious, but at the finish you really taste how this has been made for the long term. Great drive and persistence right at the end. Drink or hold.

The 2015 Brut Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill shows off the savory side of the vintage to great effect. Hints of dried pear, sage, mint, dried flowers, lemon oil and chamomile open gradually in this mid-weight, lithe edition of Pol Roger's tête de cuvée. The 2015 unfolds nicely with time in the glass, but I wouldn't think of opening a bottle anytime soon. Readers will find a nervy Winston Churchill marked by notable freshness and vigor more than size. This is a fine effort in a vintage that has proven to be far trickier than most observers originally envisioned. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged September 2022.

Medium golden yellow with green reflections and a fine, lively mousse. Ripe yellow tropical fruit with herbal spice, yellow peach and honeydew melon on the nose, alongside dried apricots, hints of brioche, and a smoky, ethereal nuance of spices and menthol in the background—a very multi-faceted bouquet. Complex on the palate with a core of juicy mango, papaya, and pear providing full-bodied texture. There’s some nougat here too, underpinned by fine acidity. Shows very good length, an inviting and multi-faceted profile with secure ageing potential. (PM).

Coming from only Grand Cru villages of Montagne de Reims and always boasting a large proportion of Pinot Noir in the cuvée, the 2015 Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Brut displays a medium straw color and has a stunning nose that’s highly aromatic with toasted croissant, kirsch, and orange peel. With a noble structure and feel to the wine, it’s full-bodied with broad shoulders but has remarkable balance for this hot vintage. The mouthfeel is exceptional and long, with vibrant acidity, a rounded and elegant mousse, a chalky texture, and a mouthwatering finish. Given the vintage, it’s showing a more approachable side already, although it should have significant longevity ahead of it. In its youth, it’s more approachable than the 2013, and I would perhaps drink some of these now and then wait to be surprised as it holds on and likely has a wide drinking window. Drink 2024-2040. 7 grams per liter of dosage.

There is a wonderful biscuity aroma to this Pinot Noir-dominated Champagne. Named after the British war-time prime minister and an avid consumer of Champagne, the wine is mature, full of ripe yeasty flavors and concentration. The wine, from a great vintage, is at a perfect stage and ready to be drunk. But the wine will also age for many years, certainly until 2030.