1998 Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill
By Pol Roger
1998 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill from Pol Roger
The 1998 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill from Pol Roger is a gem among the notable cuvées of the illustrious French champagne house. Born in a year renowned for an unconventional ripening process due to varying period of frosts and inconsistent temperatures, it captures a unique blend of tension and complexity that echoes the charismatic charm of its eponymous titan.
A Brooding Beauty with Potential Unleashed
This exemplary vintage is produced primarily from Pinot Noir, imbuing this blend with a zesty vigour and an enigmatic depth. The Chardonnay offers an elegant counterpoint, journeying through the palate with secondary notes of toasted brioche, honeycomb and nectarines.
What sets the 1998 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill from Pol Roger apart is its intriguing aging potential. Its vibrancy promises a rewarding journey for the sophisticated wine investor seeking long-term dividends from a vibrant cellar addition or an evening of sensorial indulgence.
The Enigma of The Terroir’s Elements
The climatic wavering of 1998 gave winemakers an unanticipated twist, contributing to the exhilarating allure of this notable vintage. Panoply of fresh citrus flavours tingles the edges, while an undercurrent of smoky minerality trails behind, revealing the intricate topography it hails from.
It’s in the finish where this vintage leaves its indelible mark. Lingering notes of dried figs and shortbread creates a harmonious balance between the youthful vivacity and mature intensity that is quintessential to the majestic 1998 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill from Pol Roger.
Thus pronounced, it is one of the most captivating expressions of its notable lineage - a truly investable artefact for connoisseurs seeking complex beauties that exude a rich tapestry of rich terroir-centric nuances interwoven with historical aplomb.
Market price (CAD)
$6,270.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
269.29
Scores and tasting notes
The 1998 Brut Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill opens with intriguing, exotic notes of smoke, cured meats and tar. This is a big, sweeping Sir Winston Churchill endowed with layers of perfumed ripe pears, quince, flowers and spices in a style that balances a generous expression of fruit with acidity and minerality. Everything is in the right place in this delicate yet deeply satisfying Champagne. This bottle was disgorged at the beginning of 2007. Winston Churchill is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with Pinot playing the leading role. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2023. Pol Roger is one of Champagne’s historic houses. I have long admired the estate’s Champagnes for their superb balance and gracefulness. This year I found the best wines at the bottom and top of the ranges, while the mid-level wines revealed some inconsistency, something that is not uncommon among properties of this size. The tete de cuvee, Sir Winston Churchill, named after the estate’s most famous customer, is often among the finest wines in the region. Lot numbers are stamped on the corks, but it would be nice to see Pol Roger indicate the disgorgement date on its labels. Importer: Frederick Wildman and Sons Ltd, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700
Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 21 December 2008