Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs 2002

• A truly great Blanc de Blancs
• Now in a wonderful drinking window that should last another 15 years

Pol Roger is famous for Winston Churchill. This full-bodied, opulent and mineral-fresh Blanc de Blancs is always good, and occasionally, as in 1979, 1988 and 2002, even great. Not to be forgotten: the only champagne ever to receive 100 points from Richard Juhlin is an old vintage Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs.

The Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs 2002 still has a great mineral freshness. The toasted notes that develop with maturity are still very discreet in the background of the fruit. However, the fruit itself shows a development from lemon and pineapple to dried fruits, such as apricot, which is typical of the maturation process. Pastry and crème brûlée aromas are also present. It has a wonderfull acidity, that is perfectly integrated into the palate and that lingers from the first moment to the long finish. The palate is still lively with a fresh minerality rather than being soft. The perlage is ultra-fine. Chapeau. Very impressive.

Pol Roger usually focuses on Pinot Noir. Winston Churchill in particular has been dominated by Pinot Noir since its first vintage. However, Pol Roger also produces some fabulous Chardonnays from time to time. The Reserve Chardonnay 1914 had a great reputation. Then there is also the legendary Blanc de Blancs from the 1928 vintage of the extremely cool Premier Cru Grauves vineyard. It was the only champagne to be awarded 100 points by Richard Juhlin. With the 1959 vintage, Pol Roger began regularly offering vintage champagnes made from pure Chardonnay. Until the 1996 vintage, the Blanc de Blancs were called Blanc de Chardonnay.

Pol Roger produces an unusually lush, full-bodied Blanc de Blancs. Similar Chardonnay champagnes are most likely to be found in the Montagne de Reims. Pol Roger uses grapes from the Grand Crus Chouilly, Oger, Avize, Cramant and Oiry. The wines are aged in tanks. Malolactic fermentation is carried out. The process is mainstream. The quality of the grapes, meticulous care in the cellar and the composition of the cuvée make all the difference.

750 mL

12.5

Champagne

Chardonnay

Sulphites

• Brut

France

Pol Roger, 1 Rue Winston Churchill, 51200 Épernay, Frankreich