Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill 1996

Beschrijving

Geschenkdoos – Gift box.

Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Champagne
1996

Power& refinement
The “Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill”, Champagne Pol Roger’s Prestige Cuvée, was created
in homage to Sir Winston Churchill, mindful of the qualities that he prefered 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 the approval of the man to whom it is dedicated: “My tastes are
simple, I am easily satisfied with the best.”
Composed exclusively from grapes from grand cru pinot noir and chardonnay vineyards
which were already under vine during Churchill’s lifetime, it is only ever made in the very
best vintages.
The blend is a reflection of the spirit of his character with the dominance of pinot noir
providing structure, breadth and robustness whilst the chardonnay contributes elegance,
finesse and subtlety.
The vintage of the “Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill” is always staggered so as to be one
step behind the release of other vintage-dated champagnes from Pol Roger.

Vinification & Maturation
The must undergoes two débourbages (settlings), one at the press house immediatly after
pressing and the second, a débourbage à froid, in stainless steel tanks at 6°C over a 24
hour period. A slow cool fermentation with the temperature kept under 18°C takes place
in stainless steel with each variety and each village kept seperate. The wine undergoes a
full malolactic-fermentation prior to final blending. Secondary fermentation takes place in
bottle at 9°C in the deepest Pol Roger cellars (33 metres below street level) where the
wine is kept until it undergoes remuage (riddling) by hand, a rarity in Champagne
nowadays. The very fine and persistent mousse for which Pol Roger is renowned owes
much to these deep, cool and damp cellars.

Tasting notes
This champagne is clear yellow-gold threaded through with delicate bubbles.
From the very first smell the nose is overt and generous with hints of tobacco, fresh butter
and nuts. As it evolves, the wine’s strong personality asserts itself: the initial freshness gives
way to an impression of power and vigour with heady notes of violet, liquorice, wood,
leather and the merest hint of iodine. This complexity is a sure sign of the maturity of the
wines – a characteristic of the 1996 vintage.
In the mouth, the wine’s breadth is impressive: it is vinous yet there is a presence of
something tart, almost astringent, dry and angular. As it develops this delicate minerality
brings to the wine the finesse necessary to support its imposing weight. The finish is
astonishingly long. This is a masculine champagne, which makes a very self-assured and
memorable impression.

Food pairings
Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill
1996

The Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 1996 finds it’s a natural ally of the dining table. Roasted
meats, for example, such as duck breast with citrus based sauces and fresh tarragon or even
pigeons in a foie gras sauce would act as perfect foils for the wine’s great balance between
force and finesse, presence and delicacy.