With an exemplary regularity, Pol Roger champagnes are recognizable by their winey aromas, depth and roundness; they are often matured for a long time in the house’s cellars and still have a long ageing potential.
In 1849, as he was only 18 years old, Pol Roger founded his trading house in Aÿ before settling in Epernay in 1851. In 1855 he began to favour the production of brut champagnes, much appreciated by English consumers. He died in 1899, leaving behind him a house of enviable reputation. At the beginning of the XIXth century, exports increased and some royal families began to buy exclusively Pol Roger champagne. After the rather gloomy interwar period, the situation improved from 1955 onwards, and in 1975, the famous Churchill cuvée was created in honour of the British Prime Minister, a friend of Odette Pol Roger. Churchill did not hesitate to describe the Pol Roger house as “the most delectable address in the world”. At the same time, the vineyard grew to 85 hectares in 1999.
Pol Roger: a traditional know-how
From 2001 to 2011, the working equipment was renovated and the vineyard expanded to 92 hectares. A rare fact for Champagne, Pol Roger has remained family owned and independent for five generations. The vineyard itself represents 50 to 55% of the house’s grape supply, complemented by very selective purchases. The vineyard spreads over the hillsides of Epernay, the Côte des Blancs (Oiry, Cuis, Cramant), as well as Mareuil and Ambonnay. The three main grape varieties are planted equally.
In the cellar, malolactic fermentation is systematic in order to bring roundness to the champagnes; the cold settling preserves the intensity and the freshness of the aromas. The remuage (inclination and position change of the bottles in the cellar) of all the champagnes of the house is done manually, even nowadays!
Pol Roger produces about 1.6 million bottles every year, of which nearly 80% is exported. Great Britain absorbs 20% of abroad sales. The house remains extremely renowned, rightly so. It is often considered as one of the best houses from Champagne, highly appreciated by both amateurs and professional tasters. And at iDealwine also, we are big fans of these wonderful champagnes!
Pol Roger champagnes currently for sale
Brut Réserve
The Brut Réserve cuvée is made from about thirty different crus as well as from different vintages; it is matured for at least three years in the cellars of the house. Even if the proportions of each grape type vary in the blending every year, they are generally around one third of each main type (Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir). The bouquet boasts aromas of ripe fruit (apricot, mirabelle plum, and mango), dried fruits and almonds and light floral notes (honeysuckle and jasmine). The palate is harmonious and offers a beautiful freshness, underlined by aromas of quince jell and apricot jam. The fruity and spicy finish has a good persistence.
Brut Vintage 2008
Combining the best Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, both powerful and fine, the Vintage 2008 is characterized by a deep yellow gold colour, a delicate bouquet with fresh fruit, white flower and the sweet spice aromas. The fresh and velvety palate is rich and intense.
Blanc de blancs 2009
The Blanc de Blancs cuvée is a vintage champagne, with Chardonnays from the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs. It is aged for 9 years in the Pol Roger cellars. Its very elegant nose reveals aromas of fresh butter, quince and citrus, with light floral and smoked notes. The attack is fresh and the palate balanced, characterized by aromas of yellow fruits. The very long finish reveals brioche aromas.
Cuvée Winston Churchill 2004
The Sir Winston Churchill Cuvée was created in 1975 for the tenth anniversary of his death. This cuvée pays tribute to the British Prime Minister, a friend of the Pol Roger family, by combining all the qualities he enjoyed in Champagne: strength, full-body and maturity. The grape blending, a well-kept secret, was created to match Winston Churchill’s spirit and personality. This cuvée has an old gold colour a considerably lively and delicate effervescence, a vigorous bouquet of dried fruit, heady flower and pastry aromas, its mouth is abundant, slightly honeyed and finely spiced.
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