1998 Pol Roger "Cuvée Winston Churchill" Brut Champagne
SKU #1043356
97 points
Connoisseurs Guide
Churchill loved Pol Roger Champagne so much he named a race horse after it. When he died, Pol Roger named its tete de cuvee after him. Among the rich and deep, Pinot Noir-based leaders in this tasting, the Cuvee Sir Winnie has always been the one that finds the best balance of boldness and control at the same time. Its toasty, nutty, soy and chalk first aromas are met by smells of brioche and roasted lemons, and its mousse follows with both power and pinpoint insistence. It eschews the fruitier styles of Dom Perignon and Perrier-Jouet yet has more mannerly lines than the pushy Bollinger and Krug. It is, quite simply, our favorite among a very exciting group of wines.
(12/2008)
97 points
Wine Enthusiast
*Three Stars* Churchill loved Pol Roger Champagne so much he named a race horse after it. When he died, Pol Roger named its tête de cuvée after him. Among the rich and deep, Pinot Noir-based leaders in this tasting, the Cuvée Sir Winnie has always been the one that finds the best balance of boldness and control at the same time. Its toasty, nutty, soy and chalk first aromas are met by smells of brioche and roasted lemons, and its mousse follows with both power and pinpoint insistence. It eschews the fruitier styles of Dom Perignon and Perrier-Jouet yet has more mannerly lines than the pushy Bollinger and Krug. It is, quite simply, our favorite among a very exciting group of wines.
(12/2008)
94 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 1998 Brut Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill opens with intriguing, exotic notes of smoke, cured meats and tar. This is a big, sweeping Sir Winston Churchill endowed with layers of perfumed ripe pears, quince, flowers and spices in a style that balances a generous expression of fruit with acidity and minerality. Everything is in the right place in this delicate yet deeply satisfying Champagne. This bottle was disgorged at the beginning of 2007. Winston Churchill is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with Pinot playing the leading role. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2023. (AG)
(12/2008)
93 points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Light gold. Intensely aromatic nose offers a complex bouquet of smoky orchard and pit fruit aromas, along with exotic orange zest and white pepper. Deep and chewy, displaying impressively concentrated but brisk pear and bitter citrus pith flavors and an undercurrent of buttery brioche and lees. Finishes with palate-staining persistence and a subtle anise quality. As usual, a stunner. (JR)
(12/2007)
90 points
Wine Spectator
A bracing version, with loads of energy driving its apple, grapefruit and pastry flavors. Mineral and ginger notes enter the mix as this glides to a long finish. Drink now through 2022.
(11/2009)
Jancis Robinson
Fine top note of refreshment and then great depth underneath. Very tight fine bead. Dry end. Great breadth. Herrumph of a broad Churchill chest. Bravo! Long. (19/20 points)
(1/2009)
K&L Notes
According to Wine Advocate: "Pol Roger is one of Champagne’s historic houses. I have long admired the estate’s Champagnes for their superb balance and gracefulness...The tete de cuvee, Sir Winston Churchill, named after the estate’s most famous customer, is often among the finest wines in the region." (AG, 12/2008)
