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Pol Roger Brut Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2002

Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
TCG 99
DE 98
LRVF 98
WA 97
JS 97
RJ 95
12.5% ABV PRE-ARRIVAL
Item # 322029

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$349.95

750ml
Pre-arrival (ETA: Apr 2024) 6 Available
 
99 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(Predominantly pinot noir, with some chardonnay, all from grand cru vineyards under vine at the time of Churchill; full malolactic fermentation; secondary fermentation in the lowest part of the cellars; aged almost 10 years on lees). The 2002 is the most ethereal Sir Winston since 1996, epitomising that elusive paradox of mesmerising persistence, spiralling minerality and dizzying longevity while upholding understated elegance at every moment. At 13 years of age its refinement and coiled purity are something to behold, gracefully volunteering pristine, gentle white citrus, yellow stone fruits, anise and struck flint, ever so slightly suggesting the brioche, butter and honey of bottle maturity. Chalky minerality rises like a tidal wave above it all, ultra-fine, chalk-extract and seamlessly integrated. There's a peacefulness, a contentedness and an inviting harmony to this wine, like the silence of a cosmic skyscape late on a mid-summer's night. To encounter it is to experience the soul-stirring and disarmingly unsettling sensation of confronting a thing of profound beauty. (2016-2017)"

98 points Stephen Brook (Decanter): "Sir Winston is looking particularly dignified and refined in 2004, with a surprisingly primary, youthful air, yet all the understated poise that one can expect of this classic cuvée. A cascade of impeccably refined acidity swirls into a river of minerality that flows deep and swift all the way to the distant horizon. Effortless grace and youthful vigour lurk under that distinguished exterior. Dense grilled nuts nose, backward and youthful, and shows aromatic depth at the expense of immediate charm. The palate is rich, broad, and weighty, very concentrated, achieving a majestic style that's biscuitty and powerful. Although accessible now it will certainly improve with more bottle age that will allow the flavours to unfurl. Long. Drinking Window: 2015-2034."

98 points (19/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "2002, the new vintage of the Winston Churchill cuvée is a brilliant golden color. It has a very creamy, freshly ripened nose, and a rich, enveloping palate, truly dedicated to the fruit of the generous Pinot Noir base. A phlegmatic, accomplished champagne that will leave a lasting impression. (2015)"

97 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2002 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is the stunning 2008's closest challenger in the decade, bursting with aromas of confit citrus, stone fruits, mandarin, sweet dried fruits, smoke and iodine. Full-bodied, layered and vinous, it's deep and multidimensional, with broad shoulders, terrific concentration and a long, resonant finish. In style, this shares all of 2012's breadth and flesh but brings more structure and tension to the equation. Still youthful today, the 2002 will drink well for the next two decades from a cold cellar. Drink: 2020-2040. (3/9/23)"

97 points James Suckling: "Fabulous aromas of dried apple, cream, mango and ginger follow through to a full, dense palate, but it’s very fine. The bead is so, so fine. The texture is like silk. Truly superb. I love the contrast between richness and freshness. It builds slowly on the palate and finishes so long and rich. This was 10 years on the lees. Mostly pinot noir. This follows the 2000, 1999, 1996 and 1995. (10/28/14)"

95 points Richard Juhlin: "More about structural fascination than aromatic pleasure. With its high acidity and simultaneously rich and impressive depth, this is reminiscent of the heroic 1996, and is equipped to develop far into the future. Drink: 2020-2040. Alcohol 12%. (Jan 2016)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "There's a sense of quiet elegance and grace to this harmonious Champagne. Refined and lacy in texture, with finely wrought acidity lending focus and length to the spice- and graphite-laced flavors of ripe apricot and blackberry, lemon meringue pie, chopped almond and briny mineral. Drink now through 2029. 500 cases imported. (12/15/14)"

94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2002 Pol Roger 'Cuvée Winston Churchill' is still a young wine, but it is showing lovely potential and is probably only four or five years from starting to really drink with some of the generosity of maturity. The deep and pure bouquet offers up a still quite primary blend of apple, fresh-baked bread, a complex base of soil, gentle leesiness and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and rock solid at the core, with a lovely girdle of acidity, pinpoint bubbles and lovely length and grip on the vibrant and very promising finish. Fine juice in the making. 2019-2040. (Jul/Aug 2015)"

94 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Light yellow-gold. Deeply pitched aromas of poached pear, fresh fig, orange custard and honey, with smoky mineral and buttered toast nuances adding complexity. Stains the palate with ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors that are given spine and focus by juicy acidity. Closes taut, sappy and extremely long, with an echo of toastiness and wonderful clarity. All Grand Cru fruit. (Dec 2014)"

**(*) Peter Liem (ChampagneGuide.net): "Pol Roger keeps the exact composition of this cuvée a secret, saying only that it’s modeled on the vintages preferred by Sir Winston Churchill. The 2002 shows all of the richness and depth expected of the vintage, but also a signature finesse and refinement, notably in its silky texture and expansive, multi-faceted fragrance. While it’s already complex, it remains youthful and coiled, feeling as if it will take many years to fully reveal itself. It’s an excellent wine, and one that seems destined to be a classic. Last tasted: 9/14."
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** This item is offered on Pre-arrival and is subject to the terms of our Pre-Arrival Policy **
99 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(Predominantly pinot noir, with some chardonnay, all from grand cru vineyards under vine at the time of Churchill; full malolactic fermentation; secondary fermentation in the lowest part of the cellars; aged almost 10 years on lees). The 2002 is the most ethereal Sir Winston since 1996, epitomising that elusive paradox of mesmerising persistence, spiralling minerality and dizzying longevity while upholding understated elegance at every moment. At 13 years of age its refinement and coiled purity are something to behold, gracefully volunteering pristine, gentle white citrus, yellow stone fruits, anise and struck flint, ever so slightly suggesting the brioche, butter and honey of bottle maturity. Chalky minerality rises like a tidal wave above it all, ultra-fine, chalk-extract and seamlessly integrated. There's a peacefulness, a contentedness and an inviting harmony to this wine, like the silence of a cosmic skyscape late on a mid-summer's night. To encounter it is to experience the soul-stirring and disarmingly unsettling sensation of confronting a thing of profound beauty. (2016-2017)"

98 points Stephen Brook (Decanter): "Sir Winston is looking particularly dignified and refined in 2004, with a surprisingly primary, youthful air, yet all the understated poise that one can expect of this classic cuvée. A cascade of impeccably refined acidity swirls into a river of minerality that flows deep and swift all the way to the distant horizon. Effortless grace and youthful vigour lurk under that distinguished exterior. Dense grilled nuts nose, backward and youthful, and shows aromatic depth at the expense of immediate charm. The palate is rich, broad, and weighty, very concentrated, achieving a majestic style that's biscuitty and powerful. Although accessible now it will certainly improve with more bottle age that will allow the flavours to unfurl. Long. Drinking Window: 2015-2034."

98 points (19/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "2002, the new vintage of the Winston Churchill cuvée is a brilliant golden color. It has a very creamy, freshly ripened nose, and a rich, enveloping palate, truly dedicated to the fruit of the generous Pinot Noir base. A phlegmatic, accomplished champagne that will leave a lasting impression. (2015)"

97 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2002 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is the stunning 2008's closest challenger in the decade, bursting with aromas of confit citrus, stone fruits, mandarin, sweet dried fruits, smoke and iodine. Full-bodied, layered and vinous, it's deep and multidimensional, with broad shoulders, terrific concentration and a long, resonant finish. In style, this shares all of 2012's breadth and flesh but brings more structure and tension to the equation. Still youthful today, the 2002 will drink well for the next two decades from a cold cellar. Drink: 2020-2040. (3/9/23)"

97 points James Suckling: "Fabulous aromas of dried apple, cream, mango and ginger follow through to a full, dense palate, but it’s very fine. The bead is so, so fine. The texture is like silk. Truly superb. I love the contrast between richness and freshness. It builds slowly on the palate and finishes so long and rich. This was 10 years on the lees. Mostly pinot noir. This follows the 2000, 1999, 1996 and 1995. (10/28/14)"

95 points Richard Juhlin: "More about structural fascination than aromatic pleasure. With its high acidity and simultaneously rich and impressive depth, this is reminiscent of the heroic 1996, and is equipped to develop far into the future. Drink: 2020-2040. Alcohol 12%. (Jan 2016)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "There's a sense of quiet elegance and grace to this harmonious Champagne. Refined and lacy in texture, with finely wrought acidity lending focus and length to the spice- and graphite-laced flavors of ripe apricot and blackberry, lemon meringue pie, chopped almond and briny mineral. Drink now through 2029. 500 cases imported. (12/15/14)"

94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2002 Pol Roger 'Cuvée Winston Churchill' is still a young wine, but it is showing lovely potential and is probably only four or five years from starting to really drink with some of the generosity of maturity. The deep and pure bouquet offers up a still quite primary blend of apple, fresh-baked bread, a complex base of soil, gentle leesiness and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and rock solid at the core, with a lovely girdle of acidity, pinpoint bubbles and lovely length and grip on the vibrant and very promising finish. Fine juice in the making. 2019-2040. (Jul/Aug 2015)"

94 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Light yellow-gold. Deeply pitched aromas of poached pear, fresh fig, orange custard and honey, with smoky mineral and buttered toast nuances adding complexity. Stains the palate with ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors that are given spine and focus by juicy acidity. Closes taut, sappy and extremely long, with an echo of toastiness and wonderful clarity. All Grand Cru fruit. (Dec 2014)"

**(*) Peter Liem (ChampagneGuide.net): "Pol Roger keeps the exact composition of this cuvée a secret, saying only that it’s modeled on the vintages preferred by Sir Winston Churchill. The 2002 shows all of the richness and depth expected of the vintage, but also a signature finesse and refinement, notably in its silky texture and expansive, multi-faceted fragrance. While it’s already complex, it remains youthful and coiled, feeling as if it will take many years to fully reveal itself. It’s an excellent wine, and one that seems destined to be a classic. Last tasted: 9/14."
Product SKU 322029
Producer Pol Roger
Country France
Region Champagne
Varietal Champagne / Sparkling Blend
Designation Brut
Vintage 2002
Size 750ml
Color White
ABV 12.5%
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