This is the prestige cuvée of Pol Roger, released only in exceptional years, and named in tribute to Winston Churchill, one of Pol Roger’s most ardent patrons. The 2018 vintage marks a new era, being the first Churchill made under Chef de Cave Damien Cambres.
Pol Roger describes this cuvée as a blend drawn exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards, with Pinot Noir predominating to provide structure and strength, while Chardonnay lends elegance and finesse.
Tasting Notes
Colour: A brilliant golden hue, clear and bright, with fine bubbles that reflect its extended ageing in deep cellars.
Nose: Initially reserved, then unfolding with white flowers, citrus (lemon peel, orange), and dried apricot. Hints of blond tobacco, sweet spices, and gentle pepper emerge with time.
Palate: Clean, fresh, and energetic. The texture builds with minerality, citrus tension, and restrained fruit (blood orange, poached pear). There’s a subtle pastry or brioche note, and a freshness that threads through the structure.
Finish: Long, generous, and promising. The expressive finish carries citrus and subtle red berry hint in the aftertaste, with continued structure and mineral backbone.
Collector’s Note
The 2018 Sir Winston Churchill is particularly notable as the first of the Churchill cuvées made under a new generation of leadership, yet holding to the House’s strict standards. Its restrained style, promises of complexity, and prestige of the Churchill name make it a standout among recent prestige Champagnes.
Technical details:
Producer / House: Pol Roger, Épernay, Champagne, France
Vintage: 2018
Grape Sources: Exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards, primarily Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay supporting elegance (blend proportions are a closely guarded family secret)
Fermentation Conditions:
Slow, cool alcoholic fermentation (temperature kept under ~18 °C) in stainless steel, with each variety and village kept separate. Full malolactic fermentation completed before final blending
Lees Aging & Bottle Fermentation (Second Fermentation):
Second fermentation in bottle at ~9 °C inside Pol Roger’s deep cellars (≈ 33 metres below street level). Extended lees ageing (period before disgorgement) — the depth and cool conditions of the cellars contribute to fine, persistent mousse and development of complexity.
Disgorgement / Dosage:
Disgorged in June 2024
Dosage: 7 grams per litre
Alcohol Strength (ABV): 12,5%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
Please note, you will be required to sign upon delivery, and the drivers may request a form of identification.
If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations:
If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
