2018 Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Gift Box, Champagne

After the 2015, the 2018 Sir Winston Churchill represents a notable return to form for this cuvée, finding an impressive level of depth and savour in a vintage sometimes marked by lack of intensity. The polish of ripe grand cru Pinot Noir shines through here, with plenty of black plum, blackberry and dark honey aromas, with brown butter and pastry richness lurking. There's certainly some fruit maturity here, and this may be a Sir Winston with a little more early-drinking charm than some, but it's a fine and true rendition of this cuvée's generous spirit.

95 points decanter.com

Disgorged in June 2024 with a dosage of seven grams per liter, Pol Roger’s 2018 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill introduces itself with aromas of ripe pear, candied tangerine peel and peach mingling with dried fruit. On the palate, it is full-bodied, vinous and broad-shouldered, with a rich core of fruit and an ample, textural mid-palate, underpinned by ripe yet vibrant acidity. The wine concludes with a long, enveloping finish. Reflective of the warm growing season with a late-August harvest, this is a giving Sir Winston Churchill—undeniably in the more muscular register, with ample gourmand flesh and a presently blocky density that will reward some patience.

94 points robertparker.com

This has complex aromas of croissant, acacia flowers, raw walnuts, flint and oyster shells. Very sleek, tight and structured on the palate, showing elegance and chalky minerality underneath. Seamless, classy finish with a deliciously dry, lightly phenolic citrus pith character coming through. Grand cru pinot noir with some chardonnay. Disgorged June 2024. Drink now or hold.

96 points jamessuckling.com

Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is one of the great prestige Champagnes of the world, crafted as a tribute to the legendary British statesman and Pol Roger’s most famous devotee. First released in 1984, the wine is only produced in outstanding vintages from the house’s finest Grand Cru vineyards, and it represents the pinnacle of Pol Roger’s style: powerful yet supremely elegant, with remarkable depth, structure, and longevity. While the exact blend remains a closely guarded secret, it’s widely believed to be dominated by Pinot Noir with a touch of Chardonnay, reflecting Churchill’s preference for robust, ageworthy Champagnes.

The grapes are sourced exclusively from Grand Cru sites in the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs, vineyards chosen for their ability to produce fruit of intensity and balance. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel to preserve freshness, followed by extended aging on lees for around 10 years in Pol Roger’s deep, chalk cellars, among the coldest and most stable in Épernay. This long maturation builds extraordinary complexity, creamy texture, and a fine, persistent bead. The wine is only released when perfectly poised, reflecting both the vintage and the timeless house style.

In the glass, Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is a brilliant golden hue with a very fine, persistent mousse. The nose is complex and commanding, with aromas of brioche, toasted hazelnuts, citrus peel, white peach, honey, and subtle spice, layered over chalky minerality. The palate is rich and full bodied yet impeccably balanced, with layers of ripe orchard fruit, lemon curd, roasted nuts, and pastry cream supported by vibrant acidity and an elegant mineral backbone. The finish is long, powerful, and seamless, echoing both grandeur and refinement.

This Champagne is magnificent with lobster and beurre blanc, scallops, roast chicken with truffle, caviar, or creamy mushroom dishes. It also pairs beautifully with aged Comté or triple cream cheeses. While sublime on release, it has the structure to cellar gracefully for decades, evolving layers of nuttiness, spice, and savoury depth over time.