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Sir Winston Churchill 2006

Pol Roger, Champagne, France

Pol Roger
Champagne France
  • 96
    Points
  • The 971 best
    of 3 290 954
    wines globally
  • 10 Pros of
    10 recommend
    this wine
272 96
  • Taste
  • Moment

  • Country ranking ?

    842

  • Producer ranking ?

    24

  • Decanting time

    20min

  • When to drink

    now to 2030

  • Food Pairing

    Oysters

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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A whiff of petrol can be found on the ripe aromas of baked apple, brioche and soft floral scents. The exceptionally rich yet powerful flavors possess an almost creamy mid-palate mouth feel despite the presence of a firm supporting effervescence that also shapes the sappy and wonderfully complex finale. This is a bold, indeed even robust vintage for this famous cuvée and while it could certainly be ...

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The Story

The relationship between Champagne Pol Roger and Sir Winston Churchill dates back to a providential meeting at a luncheon given by the British Ambassador to France some months after the liberation of Paris at which was served the sumptuous 1928 vintage of Pol Roger. Attending the lunch was the beautiful Odette Pol-Roger as well as the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, with whom she struck up an instant rapport. A friendship was born which co...

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Wine Information

Gorgeous vintage Champagne from Pol Roger which in 2006 is made up of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. Aged for nine years prior to release in the deepest part of Pol's cellars, this is instantly appealing with its generous, round flavour and stylish structure.

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Vintage 2006

A cold winter and springtime frosts laid the foundations for this vintage of abundant yields (12,997 kg/ha). Uneventful flowering was followed by exceptionally hot and sunny weather, which lasted until August. A dank August left producers fearful but fortunately warm, bright conditions in September redressed the balance. Harvest commenced on September 9th, producing grapes high in sugar level but notably low on acidity. The general health of t...

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Tasting note

color

Medium and Yellow

ending

Long, Gentle and Round

flavors

Bread, Apricot, Mineral, Citrus and White fruits

nose

Intense and Refined

taste

Average in Acidity, Balanced, Concentrated, Developing, Medium-bodied, Round, Ripe, Refined and Dry

Verdict

Sophisticated and Fine

Written Notes

 Pol Roger ‘Sir Winston Churchill 2006 is the 16th release of this wine (A$360), following on from 2002 and 2004. It is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, though Pol don’t provide the percentages, from Grand Cru vineyards, no doubt the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims featuring heavily. Fermentation is in stainless steel at a temperature which is not permitted to exceed 18°C. There is a full malolactic fermentation, with the second alcoholic fermentation occurring in the deepest cellars that Pol have – 33 metres below ground level. Here the temperature is a consistent, and chilly, 9°C.

The 2006 is a superb champagne, though still so youthful. Indeed, if you can, lay it away for a couple of years. The nose has an immediate marzipan note with brioche and biscuits. Hints of honeysuckle. The palate is more grilled nuts, nougat and honeycomb. Lean and long, the structure is tight but everything is finely balanced, although the power and richness of the excellent 2006 vintage cannot remain hidden. Fresh acidity backs up the lingering intensity. Such a long finish. A champagne that will age magnificently. If you want a score, 97.

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  • 97p

Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, brioche, fresh, nuanced nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, elegant mousse, fresh, fruity, apples, minerals lovely texture, still fresh and bright. Long. 94

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  • 94p

The wine displays a gorgeous white gold colour enhanced by a continuous thread of tiny bubbles announcing a lively effervescence. The delicate nose exudes scents of butter and brioche. Flavours of almonds and hazelnuts mingle with refined fragrances of yellow fruits dominated by the freshness of citrus fruits (tangerines). Then the wine opens up with savours of nougat and pistachio nuts.

On the palate, the attack is fresh and reveals a perfect balance between acidity and suppleness. The aromas are reminiscent of the sweetness of cooked fruits associated with hints of almonds, dried fruits and quinces. As the wine warms in the glass, it turns more rounded. Its silky texture is supported by a stunning length.

 

Champagne Pol Roger created their Prestige Cuvée in homage to Sir Winston Churchill mindful of the qualities that he sought in his champagne: robustness, a full-bodied character and relative maturity.
 
The exact blend is a closely guarded family secret but it is undeniable that the composition would meet with the approval of the man to whom it is dedicated : "My tastes are simple, I am easily satisfied with the best".
 
Pinot Noir predominates, providing structure, breadth and robustness whilst Chardonnay contributes elegance, finesse and subtlety. Composed exclusively of grapes sourced from Grands Crus Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards which were already under vine during Churchill's lifetime.
 
Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is only made in the very best vintages and is always released later than the other vintage dated Champagnes from Pol Roger, marking Churchill's appreciation for older wines.

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light green yellow colour. Fresh, fruity nose with hints of jasmin flowers, honeydew melon. Dry, fesh, vivid acidity, linear. Touch of brioche in the finish. Harmonious. JL 90p (4/2018)

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  • 90p
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Information

Origin

Epernay, Champagne

Other wines from this producer

Blanc de Blancs

Blanc de Blancs Vinothèque

Brut Réserve

Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Vinothèque

Pol Roger Vinothèque

Pol Roger vintage

Pol Roger vintage rosé

Pure

Reserve de Wermacht

Rich

Inside Information

While the exact blend is a family secret, it is believed that the wine is blended to meet the late Churchill’s approval and is most likely a majority of Pinot Noir. Grapes are sourced from old vines located exclusively in Grand Cru vineyards. Like all Pol Roger Champagnes this cuvée is fermented in stainless steel at very low temperatures. The wine is aged in the deepest portions of the Pol Roger cellars for an average of 10 years prior to release. Maturation in the deep cellars of Pol Roger results in a wine with a very fine mousse and intense and extraordinarily complex layers of fruit, exotic spice and minerality. With immense pride and joy, Pol Roger created this prestige cuvée to honor Sir Winston and is made in a style of which he would approve. The precise blend is a family secret and is produced only in the finest vintages. This cuvée was composed of grapes from the same plots that were sourced to produce Churchill’s favorite vintages, such as the excellent 1928. “SWC” has been called the “greatest luxury cuvée of modern times.”

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