96

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

Pol Roger's flagship Brut Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is fabulous in 2012. Rich, open-knit and seductive, the 2012 will drink well right out of the gate, although it certainly has the pedigree to age well for decades. Lemon confit, chamomile, dried flowers, mint, spice and a kick of brioche infuse the 2012 with notable textural richness and resonance. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous aromatic lift to round things out. The 2012 is classy and polished all the way. 11/2021

96

Richard Juhlin

Richard Juhlin

Oh, so young, but so seductively beautiful. Here it is easy to go wrong in a blind tasting if you are in too much of a hurry. Initially, the scent is disturbingly weak, but with time in the glass and after opening, the entire typical scent spectrum that makes up Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill comes so slowly. The bone structure is narrow and lean, but unbreakable and sturdy like a California Sequoia and is derived from hard metal Pinot Noir from Verzenay. The mouthfeel is magnificent from the start with a contrast between softness and expanding power together with young lively aromas of grass, gooseberries and strawberries. Over time, the whole wine becomes more homogeneous and aristocratic, where dark chocolate, licorice, the crust of a freshly baked baguette, Gravenstein apples, Nice olives, orange nougat, cherries and mint interact beautifully in a unique symphonic harmony that the good Winston had loved. 11/2025

95

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

Richer and fleshier than the 2013, the 2012 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill offers up aromas of ripe citrus and orchard fruits mingled with buttered toast, hazelnuts and confit peach. Full-bodied, layered and gourmand, with an enveloping core of fruit, excellent depth at the core and a pretty pinpoint mousse, it remains harmonious and precise despite its broader-shouldered format. 03/2023

98

James Suckling

James Suckling

Intense aromas of strawberry and subtle apple with pie crust and some ash and stone. An almost smoky undertone to the aromas. Full-bodied and very layered with ultra fine tannins that give it a rough-cut, velvety texture. It’s very flavorful, yet so checked and reserved at the same time. Compact, tight palate that is deep and powerful. Very vinous at the end and in the mouth feel. Spicy and biscuity at the finish. Mostly pinot noir with chardonnay and only grand cru. More density and complexity than the 2008. Seven years on the lees. Delicious and luxurious to drink now, but giving this some age will make it even better. 03/2021