Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 1999

Established in Épernay over more than 160 years ago, this maison ranks as one of the smaller of the great Champagne brands and nowadays continues totally under family control. Owning 87 hectares, Pol Roger has vineyards under its control in the Marne Valley, the Côte de Blancs and the Montagne de Reims - the Champagne magic triangle. Pol Roger is one of only eleven wine-producing families to belong to the association called Primum Familiae Vini (PFV).

Appearance

Golden yellow with yellow glints. Rosary of very fine bubbles, lively and constant.

Nose

Clean and very fresh, with strongly floral notes which are surprising considering its age, gradually followed by more complex aromas such as butter and more vigorous ones reminiscent of nuts.

Palate

Generous and very complete, it is really refreshing yet not at all simple. Particular flavours of sweet quinces and fresh yellow stone fruits, blood oranges and even slightly minty notes. Good acidity to finish and recurring hints of lemon, which avoid the heaviness usually occurring in other similar cuvées. Very vinous and interesting.

Remarks

The Cuvée Prestige, the most representative of the Maison and produced in honour of Sir Winston Churchill, was released onto the market for the first time in 1984, corresponding to the 1975 vintage, with 1999 being the twelfth vintage bottled. With a very appreciable amount of Pinot Noir and topped up with Chardonnay, the exact composition is a secret which the family guards carefully and varies depending on each vintage. A Champagne to enjoy in hotter weather and one that finds pairing perfection with dishes that feature fruit and freshness. As an accompaniment to tuna tataki served with a strawberry emulsion is one way to enjoy this Champagne, for a rather modern take, which would help us to cut through the fattiness of the oily fish.

Serving temperature

from 10 to 12º C

Recommended glass

Riedel, Vinum Collection, Cuvée Prestige glass.