I think it is one of the best ever from Pol Roger. The 2002 Sir Winston shows surreal aromas of dried apples, cream, mangos, and ginger that follow through to a full palate with a velvety texture and a lively finish. It opens with air, which suggests decanting. (Yes. You can decant Champagne!) It's extremely enjoyable to drink now, unlike a number of the top 2002 Champagnes at the moment that still need more bottle age. Don't miss this one if you love Pol Roger. It's a classic.

– jamessuckling.com, March 2015

The 2002 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is the stunning 2008's closest challenger in the decade, bursting with aromas of confit citrus, stone fruits, mandarin, sweet dried fruits, smoke and iodine. Full-bodied, layered and vinous, it's deep and multidimensional, with broad shoulders, terrific concentration and a long, resonant finish. In style, this shares all of 2012's breadth and flesh but brings more structure and tension to the equation. Still youthful today, the 2002 will drink well for the next two decades from a cold cellar.

The lauded 2002 vintage often shows its weightier side at this level of maturity and this magnum obliges with decadent butter caramel, charry sourdough toast and dried raspberry aromas. There’s still a relatively youthful, fragrant precision here, though, with heaps of perfumed Pinot berry fruit still pushing through the sucrosity of the vintage and the post-disgorgement ageing. Rich, energetic and fine, this is open for business and far from showing signs of tiring. Tasted from magnum.

Quality 963 | Brand 946 | Economics 911 |

buzz brand
Quality: Predicted life of 12 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group, which averages 5 years Brand: Strong restaurant presence, featuring on 30 of the world's top wine lists, including Aria Economics: Above its peer group average price of £99 for the 2002 vintage Production:

- www.wine-lister.com, June 2017

See score and full tasting note at champagneclub.com.

Light yellow-gold. Deeply pitched aromas of poached pear, fresh fig, orange custard and honey, with smoky mineral and buttered toast nuances adding complexity. Stains the palate with ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors that are given spine and focus by juicy acidity. Closes taut, sappy and extremely long, with an echo of toastiness and wonderful clarity. All Grand Cru fruit.

From Pol Roger UK. Disgorged Jan 2014. Tasted blind. More mousse here, suggesting greater youth than the previous wine (1999 magnum), though it becomes broader in the glass. Tighter than 1999 from magnum and more bright lemony citrus. Long and structured by the acidity. Sinewy and really clean but still creamy. Very tight and youthful and tastes more Chardonnay focused. My guess: 2002 in bottle. (JH)

For Hubert de Billy, this is the best vintage of the 21st Century. After tasting six younger vintages in magnum, this 75-cl bottle leaps forward in maturity – both in colour and in fruit character. There's a slight bruising to the apple fruit but only in the most charming and succulent way – that sweet smell of decay, like leaf litter and undergrowth. Still going absolutely strong, but certainly entering the mature phase of development with more tertiary than primary flavours. (RH)

Disgorged in 2013. Dosage 8 g/l. Tasted blind. Orangey straw. Rich and round on the nose. Rather sweet start and with much less energy than the 2004 vintage. A tiny bit heavy. (JR)