Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2012

What

The moderately-sized maison was established in 1849 by then 18-year-old Pol Roger, still owned by the De Billy and Pol-Roger (a compound name created in 1900 in tribute to the family patriarch) families.

Where

Épernay; 92 ha of estate vines provide material for about half of production.

Why

The story sells itself: in 1944, when Winston Churchill and Odette Pol-Roger met, she served him vintage 1928 and sent him a case of his favourite every year for his birthday until they had to move on to 1934. After Churchill’s death in 1965, they rimmed their white-label in black for decades in tribute. 2012 is SWC’s 19th vintage since the inaugural 1975. It is made exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards used by the house during Churchill’s lifetime.

What else

Churchill apparently drank 42,000 bottles of Pol Roger starting from his mid-30s. The maison’s official address is 1 Rue Winston Churchill.

Tasting Notes

Tart, white peach notes shoot up the nose followed gradually by stony base notes and subtle white pepper that softens and grows vegetal. The palate is rich with mouth-filling, juicy fruit reined in by a noticeable phenolic cut and a cleansing wash of acidity. Promises many years of gradual evolution.

Try It With 

Sushi with roe or uni.

When To Drink

Apéritif.

Perfect For

Your boss.

TL/DR

Old school icon; surprisingly approachable now.

Supplier

Altaya Wines