2006 Pol Roger Cuvee Winston Churchill
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Tasting notes
This has changed substantially since it was first released, becoming much more complex than it was. A whiff of petrol can be found on the ripe aromas of baked apple, brioche and soft floral scents along with an abundance of yeast character plus just a hint of roasted almond. The exceptionally rich yet powerful flavors possess an almost creamy mid-palate mouthfeel 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 that to my taste is now drinking perfectly. This isn’t to say that it won’t continue to hold well but I doubt that there will be much development going forward. This is first-rate and every time I have it I wonder if I’m not being a bit too conservative with my rating.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A broader, lower-acidity vintage, the 2006 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill bursts with aromas of confit citrus, peach, buttered toast, smoke and coffee. Full-bodied, open and gourmand, its expansive attack segues into a rich, ample mid-palate, concluding with a sapid finish. This giving, fully mature Churchill is drinking very well today.
Magnum. Excellent maturity, showing that magic development of baked apples, burnt caramel (is that an autolysis flavour?) and still-fresh pastries. The nose is un-improvable but the palate is perhaps just a little lighter than I would ideally love. Subtle, caressing style with the most gorgeous pinprick effervescence. (RH)
Magnum. Lighter weight than the 2002 in magnum but a pretty impressive savoury, minerally champagne that seems a bit drier than the Churchill norm and is suitably deep-flavoured. Notably persistent. (JR)
About the producer
Pol Roger is one of Champagne’s most respected Grandes Marques. While it is best known undoubtedly for its prestige cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, it also produces one of the finest non-vintage bottlings on the market.