Champagne Pol Roger - Brut Réserve

Bettane & Desseauve

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 wine:

The house's signature cuvée, this brut blends equal parts Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay from 30 crus and combines the 2019 harvest with 25% reserve wines from the previous three years. Pale gold in color with fine, persistent bubbles, it is unanimously praised for its elegance throughout the tasting. Initially discreet, the nose reveals subtle, delicious aromas of white fruit. This fleshy fruitiness, with peach coming to the fore, is confirmed on the palate, which is full-bodied, silky, mellow, harmonious, and long, combining richness and delicacy.

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:

The latest version of Pol Roger's Brut Réserve NV is based on the 2021 vintage and includes 30% reserve wines from the 2020, 2019, and 2018 vintages. Disgorged in October 2024 with a dosage of eight grams per liter, this wine exudes an expressive bouquet of crisp pear, orange zest, ripe peach, and delicate pastry notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied to full-bodied, with a vibrant fruit core and admirable balance, despite a dosage that may seem relatively generous. It is imbued with lively acidity and culminates in a persistent, salty finish. Composed of equal parts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, this cuvée is immediately appealing upon release, but has the structure necessary to reward several years of cellar aging, revealing the charm of a finely matured champagne.

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

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.

James Suckling

About wine:

A refreshing champagne with aromas of bread crust, sliced apples, citrus fruits, and a hint of raspberry. Lively on the palate, with fine bubbles and a clean, precise finish. A blend of equal parts Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay. Vintage 2021. Disgorged in October 2024. Dosage of 8 g/L. Ready to drink now.