Champagne Pol Roger - Brut Blanc de Blancs 2013

Bettane & Desseauve

About wine:

The striking moisture of freshly cut green zest, the oscillation of green and yellow citrus unmatched in purity. The lemon verbena infusion and the fragrances of old-fashioned candy and nougat being cooked remind us of our purest memories. The gray and stone are of a sculptural, high-definition saline flint. The mouth carves the skins of uzu and combawa with an extremely stony, abrupt calcareous dimension. The finish blends calisson, kumquat, and orange blossom with a touch of bitter orange. The palate chisels the skins of uzu and combawa with an extremely stony, abrupt calcareous dimension. The finish blends calisson, kumquat, and fleur de sel with a vertical dimension of astonishing purity, an eruption never before experienced. Grandiose in its precision and new flavors from the origin. Ultimate.

About the estate:

This medium-sized house, founded in 1849 by Pol Roger, still belongs to the founding family and is now run by Laurent d'Harcourt. As the official supplier to the Queen of England, its ties with the neighboring kingdom go far beyond purely commercial relations, as Sir Winston Churchill was also a fan of Pol Roger wines and made them his favorite brand. It developed over the last century thanks to high-quality vintages that are undoubtedly among the elite of champagnes, such as the 1928, which has become a cult favorite. The house is fortunate to own a 90-hectare vineyard that covers 65% of its needs. It has deliberately limited its production to 1.5 million bottles per year and has an impressive stock of 9 million bottles waiting in the cellar, which is virtually unmatched today.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

This Épernay-based champagne house shipped its first bottles to England shortly after it was founded by the young Pol Roger in 1849. It quickly became famous throughout the kingdom, forging close ties with British champagne lovers, and Winston Churchill was never shy about showing his preference for Pol Roger champagne. The business, which remains family-owned, is based on a 92-hectare vineyard. Hubert de Billy represents the fifth generation of the family on the board of directors, while Laurent d'Harcourt, chairman of the board, succeeded Patrice Noyelle in 2013. Upon his retirement in 2018, cellar master Dominique Petit handed over his position to Damien Cambres, former director of the Goutte d'Or cooperative in Vertus.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the estate:

Sir Winston Churchill's favorite house, Pol Roger was founded in 1849. Its 89 hectares of vineyards are spread across the Marne Valley, Montagne de Reims, and Côte des Blancs terroirs. Initially dominated by Pinot Noir, the wines now draw more on the elegance of Chardonnay. With a stock of 8 million bottles currently aging, representing 4 to 5 years of sales, Pol Roger is one of the "smallest" of the great Champagne houses! It remains strictly family-owned.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

Pol Roger's Blanc de Blancs 2013 is very appealing, unfolding in the glass with aromas of crisp orchard fruit, citrus zest, sourdough bread, pastry cream, and almonds. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, taut and incisive, it is more chiseled than the richer, more concentrated 2012, with racy acids and a slightly reductive edge, ending with a chalky grip. It is a true classic in style and should develop beautifully with age on the cork.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

A difficult vintage, 2013 partially spared the Chardonnays, which give this cuvée a lovely elegance, pleasant refinement, and an airy finish.

About the estate:

Pol Roger is a true icon of Champagne, exemplary for the precision, generosity, and consistency of its range. The vineyards are planted mainly on the slopes of Épernay, on the Côte des Blancs, as well as in Mareuil and Ambonnay, all terroirs known for their high quality and consistency. The three grape varieties are present in equal proportions, as in the purchases (a balance that is reflected in the cuvées); malolactic fermentation is systematic (which brings roundness); and cold settling is used (for aromatic intensity). Pol Roger is the last house of this size to manually riddle its 1.6 million bottles per year on racks in its 7.5 km of cellars in Sparnacien. The cuvées are differentiated by the aging of the reserve wines, as well as by the origin of the crus. Pol Roger has rediscovered the style and generosity of the wines that made its fame in the 1960s, with cuvées such as Sir Winston Churchill (only ten vintages produced in thirty years) and the vintage blanc de blancs cuvée, the epitome of racy champagnes that age remarkably well. Damien Cambres has replaced Dominique Petit as cellar master.

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

Crisp apples and a tight minerality combine in a wine of satisfying maturity. It is young, showing its fruity side and only evolving towards its future complexity. But it will be a fine, structured champagne. Drink from 2022 onwards.