Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill 2013

Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2013 is a monumentally structured, regal, and deeply complex prestige Champagne created to honor the house's most legendary patron. Sourced entirely from historical Grand Cru vineyards that were under vine during Churchill's lifetime, this 20th release is built around a heavy dominance of Pinot Noir for aristocratic muscle and breadth, refined by a smaller percentage of elegant Chardonnay. Pouring a radiant golden-straw color with an ultra-fine, persistent trail of microscopic bubbles, the nose reveals a brilliant symphony of dried flowers, orange marmalade, gingerbread, and apple pie, layered with evolving notes of toasted hazelnuts, fresh brioche, and warm honey. On the palate, it delivers a full-bodied, vinous, and flawlessly seamless texture that effortlessly balances a texturally dense core of orchard fruits against a driving spine of crystalline mountain acidity and an incredibly fine, pillowy mousse. Hand-riddled and aged for over seven years on its fine lees in the coldest subterranean chalk cellars of Épernay, it culminates in a majestic, penetrating finish defined by a long, noble vein of chalky, saline minerality.

Food Pairing: Pairs brilliantly with roasted capon with morel mushrooms, butter-poached lobster tails, pan-seared sweetbreads, or 18-month aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

98 Points - Wine Enthusiast

Although ready to drink, this very fine Champagne has plenty of aging to go. With its rich Pinot Noir and ripe fruits, it is generous while also fully textured. Complex and balanced, mature fruit and toast working together, this is a great wine.

97 Points - James Suckling

Complex and subtle aromas of dried ginger, pie crust, cooked apple and cooked peach follow through to a full body with ginseng, toasted bread and dried apple. Very fine and multidimensional. Great wine. Drink now.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

95 Points - Wine Spectator

An expressive Champagne, with ripe and juicy pineapple, cassis and apricot fruit flavors married to notes of brioche, saline, lemon curd and honeysuckle. Backed by a spine of fresh acidity, this is well-cut and harmonious, with the fine and creamy mousse carrying the flavor range on the lasting finish. Drink now through 2035.