POL ROGER SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL
CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE 2018
WHY BUY: From a 2018 vintage that Decanter declared "truly exceptional” and the great Pol Roger comes this 97-point Champagne that ranks among the very best of that year. This is their official prestige cuvée, made only in extraordinary vintages, and simply affirms why we adore this great house, which remains, confoundingly, one of the sleepers of the region, despite its excellence and consistency from season to season. And if you think they're just invoking the legendary statesman's name to burnish their own, think again: the Churchill family still comes and tastes every vintage and signs off on it before it goes out to the public.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: Both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast awarded it 97 points, an unusually high score for Champagnes and white wines generally. The former hailed its "impeccable harmony, class and attention to detail,” its "firmly structured spine of acidity," and its finish laced with "mineral, graphite and spice” —concluding: this is a Champagne that's "hard to stop sipping now," while promising even more to those who have the patience to wait a bit. The latter admired the "elegant and crystalline" nose, the "saline-stone aromas," and a palate held up by a "talcum-like chalkiness," calling it "elegant, persistent and built for the long haul.”
OUR TASTING NOTES: It might arrive quietly and almost demurely, but then — ahhh — comes the magic, as it keeps unfolding and revealing itself, teasingly, little by little, for as long as you'll let it. The first thing you notice is a kind of crystalline lift, along with defined orchard fruit and an almost soft chalk-dust minerality that gives this edge. And the texture takes over. A talc-fine chalkiness is the throughline, on top of which sit gentle florals, notes of yellow peach, and an unexpected (and glorious) whisper of toffee cream. The mousse is plush without being heavy. What stays with you is the persistence, the way the finish carries on well past the point most Champagnes have gone quiet. Drink it now, and revel in it, or and cellar it and await the even greater complexity to come.
THE STORY: Pol Roger founded his house in Épernay in 1849, and the family has run it ever since, which in a region increasingly swallowed by conglomerates is saying something; in fact, many somethings. The connection to Winston Churchill was real and personal. He drank the house's Champagne for most of his adult life, called it his favorite, and even named a racehorse Pol Roger. When he died in 1965, the house added a black border to the labels of its UK-bound bottles as a sign of mourning. The cuvée that bears his name launched with the 1975 vintage, and is made only in years the house considers worthy enough. And the blend is itself an homage to the great statesman, meant to reflect the robust, structured style he himself favored in Champagne.
WHAT TO PAIR IT WITH: There’s almost nothing this great Champagne won’t go with and instantly elevate. Try it with a roast chicken and fresh thyme, or a plate of shucked or grilled oysters, a simple roast turbot, or something a little unexpected, like a Keralan prawn curry; the wine's chalk and acidity will assuredly cleanse the palate of the spice.
FUN FACT: How deep did Churchill's affection for the house run? This deep: he reportedly went through something on the order of 42,000 bottles of Pol Roger in his lifetime.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only source directly from the producer to ensure that your bottle arrives as it should: with pristine provenance guaranteed. Secure your bottles today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2026 (Dec.21st - Mar. 20th, 2027). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, MO, NY, OK, or TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Thursday, August 13th, 2026.