Pol Roger 2004 Winston Churchill

The famous Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is the finest interpretation of the classic great Pinot Noir sites of the Montagne de Reims, from which Pol Roger produces a creamy, elegant, fascinatingly complex champagne. From the great 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 series, the 2004 is now the most expressive with walnut, apple, vanilla brioche and orange blossom flavours. It is in a very good drinking window. 

Vineyards and grape varieties 

Pol Roger stands for a fine, harmonious champagne style. With Winston Churchill, however, Pol Roger has created a champagne that is characterised by the powerful Pinot Noir vineyards of the Montagne de Reims. Pol Roger owns a good 85 hectares of vineyards. These are mainly located on the northern Côte des Blancs near the company's headquarters in Epernay in Chouilly, Cuis, Cramant and Grauves and in the Marne Valley in Mardeuil, Pierry, Moussy and Chavot. The Sir Winston Churchill cuvée consists of 75 per cent of famous, steep southern slopes planted with Pinot Noir in Ay, Bouzy and Ambonnay. Chardonnay grapes from Cramant and Chouilly make up the remaining 25 per cent of the cuvée. Only old vines planted before Churchill's death in 1965 are used for the Winston Churchill. After an agreement was reached with the heirs, the 1975 vintage was launched on the market in 1984, almost 20 years after Churchill's death, and only in magnums. 

 Vinification, ageing and bottling 

After gentle pressing, the must is clarified for the first time.  It is then left to rest for 24 hours at 6 degrees to allow a second clarification and the sediment to settle. It is then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at a maximum of 18 degrees. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation. The numerous batches, separated by vineyard and grape variety, are then controlled, selected and blended. The proportion of Pinot to Chardonnay remains the same, but the individual vineyards and their proportions change. The wine is then bottled unfiltered and left to ferment and age on its lees for at least eight years. The 2006 vintage was disgorged in January 2017 with a dosage of 8 grams per litre. There is nothing unusual here. There is no oxidative ageing in wooden barrels, the acidity is reduced by malolactic fermentation. The secret of its exceptional quality lies in the quality of the grapes and in the sensitive and stylistically confident blending of the recently retired cellar master, Dominique Petit. 

The vintage

The 2004 vintage is a mature, harmonious year in Champagne, with good but not exceptionally high acidity levels, which are higher than in 2002. Nevertheless, many 2004s are fresher than 2002, but already more open than 2006. It will continue to evolve well.

Tasting note 

The 2004 Sir Winston Churchill has a nose of walnut, apple, vanilla brioche and orange blossom. The mousse is very fine and harmonious. The palate is characterised by ripe, yellow apple, some citrus, walnut, praline,  vanilla brioche and orange blossom.