Pol Roger’s flagship Champagne named in honour of WWII British prime minister Sir Winston Churchill for whom the house was a favourite. The 2009 pours with a frothy white mousse that slowly morphs into a straw pale-coloured base that’s threaded by a very persistent stream of fine bubbles. Heady aromas of baked bread, yeast lees, citrus, roasted almond, light pear and brioche sail through the nostrils. Rich, full and concentrated the palate also exhibits great finesse and complexity with a flavour profile of yeast lees, bready characters, cashew, citrus and subtle oily toast-like nuances. Airy in its feel with a gentle creaminess, it finishes dry with stimulating acidity. Some roasted nut characters shine through on the long, powerful yet graceful aftertaste.
"Particularly strong apples on the nose – even Golden Delicious, a variety I haven’t tasted in a while. Creamy texture and a slightly sweeter, certainly riper, impression than more typical vintages – certainly much fuller and more welcoming than the 2008. Like a liqueur version of Epernay character! But this wine is no simpleton; it really builds on the palate to a dramatically long finish. Powerful! Very friendly rather than stern and Churchillian. As Hubert de Billy says, the 2008 Churchill is for collectors, the 2009 is for drinkers"