Champagne Pol Roger - Sir Winston Churchill 2012
96+/100
Robert Parker
"Power and refinement"
Pol Roger's new Sir Winston Churchill 2012 vintage is brilliant and vibrant in the glass, with youthful aromas of honeyed pear, toasted brioche, pomelo, fresh pastry, green apple, and mandarin, with notes of stone fruit emerging over time in the glass. Full-bodied, vinous and textured, with an enveloping core of fleshy, concentrated fruit, bright acidity and elegant, punctuated mousse, it finishes with a long, penetrating finish. More muscular and vibrant than the generous and charming 2009, the 2012 ranks alongside the 2008 and 2002 as one of the three finest interpretations of Sir Winston Churchill of this millennium – and in style, it resembles a hypothetical blend of these two vintages." (Wine Advocate) The house's prestige cuvée!
Buy your Pol Roger Champagnes at the best price in a private sale!
from €99 on your first order
Eye
Intense, bright golden yellow color. Fine, regular, persistent foam.
Nose
Delicate and refined, subtle notes of vanilla and spice mingle with citrus flavors and floral fragrances. The nose builds in intensity, revealing complex nuances of fresh hazelnuts, acacia blossom, and fresh honey.
Mouth
Creamy, rich, and fresh attack, slightly tart, supported by notes of fresh fruit. Its structure reveals volume and roundness. Remarkable balance, with a finish of dried fruit subtly punctuated by notes of vanilla.
Serve
At 12°C
Drink from
2023
Drink before
2040+
Food and wine pairings
A true gastronomic Champagne, it will accompany an entire meal, from aperitif to dessert, pairing beautifully with refined dishes such as 18-month aged Grana Parmigiano, capon en demi-deuil, or sweetbreads with morel mushrooms.
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2024 guide) 5*Stars (Exceptional producers, representing the absolute pinnacle of quality in France and worldwide)
About the estate:
This medium-sized house, founded in 1849 by Pol Roger, still belongs to the founding family and is now run by Laurent d'Harcourt. As the official supplier to the Queen of England, its ties with the neighboring kingdom go far beyond purely commercial relations, as Sir Winston Churchill was also a fan of Pol Roger wines and made them his favorite brand. It developed over the last century thanks to high-quality vintages that are undoubtedly among the elite of champagnes, such as the 1928, which has become a cult favorite. The house is fortunate to own a 90-hectare vineyard that covers 65% of its needs. It has deliberately limited its production to 1.5 million bottles per year and has an impressive stock of 9 million bottles waiting in the cellar, which is virtually unmatched today.
Guide Hachette des vins
Rated estate (2025 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer's wines are regularly recognized by the guide)
About the estate:
This Épernay-based champagne house shipped its first bottles to England shortly after it was founded by the young Pol Roger in 1849. It quickly became famous throughout the kingdom, forging close ties with British champagne lovers, and Winston Churchill was never shy about showing his preference for Pol Roger champagne. The business, which remains family-owned, is based on a 92-hectare vineyard. Hubert de Billy represents the fifth generation of the family on the board of directors, while Laurent d'Harcourt, chairman of the board, succeeded Patrice Noyelle in 2013. Upon his retirement in 2018, cellar master Dominique Petit handed over his position to Damien Cambres, former director of the Goutte d'Or cooperative in Vertus.
Guide des Vins Gault & Millau
5-star rated estate (Outstanding production)
About the estate:
Sir Winston Churchill's favorite house, Pol Roger was founded in 1849. Its 89 hectares of vineyards are spread across the Marne Valley, Montagne de Reims, and Côte des Blancs terroirs. Initially dominated by Pinot Noir, the wines now draw more on the elegance of Chardonnay. With a stock of 8 million bottles currently aging, representing 4 to 5 years of sales, Pol Roger is one of the "smallest" of the great Champagne houses! It remains strictly family-owned.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Wine rated (2020 guide) 96+/100 (Extraordinary wine)
Rated estate (2023 guide) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About wine:
Pol Roger's new 2012 Sir Winston Churchill vintage is brilliant and dazzling in the glass, with youthful aromas of honeyed pear, toasted brioche, pomelo, fresh pastry, green apple, and mandarin, with notes of stone fruit emerging over time in the glass. Full-bodied, vinous, and textured, with an enveloping core of fleshy, concentrated fruit, bright acidity, and elegant, punctuated mousse, it finishes with a long, penetrating finish. More muscular and vibrant than the generous and charming 2009, the 2012 ranks alongside the 2008 and 2002 as one of the three finest interpretations of Sir Winston Churchill of this millennium—and stylishly, it resembles a hypothetical blend of those two vintages.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated estate (2024 guide) 3 stars (These represent the excellence of French vineyards. The best terroirs cultivated by the greatest winemakers. Tasting their wine is always a magical moment.)
About the estate:
Pol Roger is a true icon of Champagne, exemplary for the precision, generosity, and consistency of its range. The vineyards are planted mainly on the slopes of Épernay, on the Côte des Blancs, as well as in Mareuil and Ambonnay, all terroirs known for their high quality and consistency. The three grape varieties are present in equal proportions, as in the purchases (a balance that is reflected in the cuvées); malolactic fermentation is systematic (which brings roundness); and cold settling is used (for aromatic intensity). Pol Roger is the last house of this size to manually riddle its 1.6 million bottles per year on racks in its 7.5 km of cellars in Sparnacien. The cuvées are differentiated by the aging of the reserve wines, as well as by the origin of the crus. Pol Roger has rediscovered the style and generosity of the wines that made its fame in the 1960s, with cuvées such as Sir Winston Churchill (only ten vintages produced in thirty years) and the vintage blanc de blancs cuvée, the epitome of racy champagnes that age remarkably well. Damien Cambres has replaced Dominique Petit as cellar master.
Discover other wines from the estate
