Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill 2015

Created by Champagne Pol Roger as a tribute to Sir Winston Churchill, this prestige cuvée is built to the exacting tastes of the man himself — robust, full-bodied and with a touch of maturity. The exact blend is a closely guarded family secret, though Pinot Noir predominates for structure and power, balanced by Chardonnay for elegance and finesse.

The 2015 vintage is composed exclusively of Grand Cru Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from vineyards already under vine in Churchill's lifetime, and is released later than Pol Roger's other vintage cuvées, in keeping with his appreciation for older wines.

The nose is multi-faceted, showing ripe yellow and tropical fruit with herbal spice, yellow peach and honeydew melon, layered with dried apricot, brioche and a smoky, ethereal spice and menthol note. The palate is savoury and precise, with dried pear, sage, mint, dried flowers, lemon oil and chamomile unfurling gradually across a mid-weight, lithe frame.

James Suckling (reviewer Stuart Pigott) scored the 2015 96 points; The Wine Independent's Sarah Mayo also awarded it 96 points.

Region: Champagne  |  Grape: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay  |  Vintage: 2015  |  ABV: 12.5%  |  Size: 750ml