CUVÉE SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL

(Tasted from bottle) Tasted blind. Relatively pale gold. Plenty of toast and brioche on the nose, certainly smells more mature than the first two wines (2000 from bottle and magnum). Some seductive orange peel on the nose, like fougasse with orange flower water. So fragrant. On the palate you can feel the Pinot tannins. The mousse is still lively. Impressive length. Not as intense as some, but quite broad on the palate. I thought this was older than it is, perhaps the 1999 in bottle. Drinking range: 2016 - 2024Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Oct 2016)

The flagship 2004 Brut Sir Winston Churchill is creamy, ample and highly expressive, but it is also a bit more forward than I expected for the vintage. Apricot jam, honey, spice, smoke, brioche and lovely hints of toastiness all add to the wine's considerable appeal, while there is no shortage of density or volume. All that said, the wine's balance is not as fine as I had hoped it would be. Perhaps a bit more time in bottle will do the trick. To be sure, the 2004 Churchill is more advanced than most other tête de cuvées in this vintage. Drinking range: 2016 - 2029 Rating: 94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Aug 2016)

Sir Winston is looking particularly dignified and refined in 2004, with a surprisingly primary, youthful air, yet all the understated poise that one can expect of this classic cuvee. A cascade of impeccably refined acidity swirls into a river of mineralilty that flows deep and swift all the way to the distant horizon. Effortless grace and youthful vigour lurk under that distinguished exterior. (Tyson Stelzer's dream dozen prestige cuvees). Drinking range: 2015 - 2034 Rating: 98 Decanter Magazine (Oct 2015)