Pol Roger, Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, Champagne, 2000

Although not regarded as a top year, this Churchill is a great succcess. The apple-compote nose is reserved but it has purity of fruit and finesse. The attack is lean, tight, and racy, very youthful and tight, with a wonderful tension and dynamism. It is in its prime but should keep well thanks to its racy acidity, which gives excellent length.

Not at all exciting on release, but at our tasting the greatness and maturity showed in an aristocratic way. Nice smoky complexity. Fat and already mature with strong liquorice and dark chocolate notes.