Pol Roger Vintage Brut 1998

Wine & Spirits ReviewAll the components of this huge wine fit together well, so the impression of size and power reads more like firm grip, robust flavor and tremendous length. Pinot Noir (60 percent of the blend) lends musky spice. The structure and the fact that the wine keeps getting better with air suggest this has a long life ahead.

January 2009

Wine Enthusiast rating: 93

Pol Roger, one of a few luxury Champagne firms still family-owned, was established in Epernay in 1849. Pol Roger owns 200 acres of vineyards, which provide about 45% of their needs. Pol Roger's cellars extend over four miles of winding chalk passageways on two levels. The second or deeper cellar maintains a constant 9.5º C (50º F), one degree lower than the first level and most others in the region. This lower temperature slows the second fermentation, encouraging a finer mousse or bubbles. Pol Roger Champagne also spends two to three times the allowable minimum in the cellar before read more...disgorgement, or about three years for the non-vintage and up to seven for the luxury cuvees. The long, slow maturation contributes greatly to the complex aromas, which distinguish these superb Champagnes. The Vintage Brut follows the traditional formula for Pol Roger Vintage, being composed of about 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay drawn from 18 Grands and Premiers Crus. As always, the Pinot Noir contributes the intensity, backbone, tannins and body while the Chardonnay provides the fragrance, elegance, finesse essential to a perfect balance. Vintage Brut is only produced in declared vintage years.    (hide)

document.getElementById("NoProductImage").innerHTML = ""; Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill had a lifelong attachment' to Pol Roger champagne and insisted on enjoying the wine at the most dangerous and dark periods of wartime. He famously borrowed a slogan of Napoleon's to describe his passion for this supremely invigorating champagne: "In defeat I need it- in victory I deserve it". Winston Churchill was born in 1874- the same year from which an outstanding Pol Roger vintage was created - a cuvée which was to provide the foundation for the brand's read more...reputation in England. Winston became a customer of Pol Roger for the first time when a Cabinet Minister and President of the Board of Trade. He ordered a supply of the 1895 vintage. By 1914 Pol Roger had become the champagne of people of prominence- and the 1906 vintage sealed this position- being consumed at many royal functions. Winston Churchill- as First Lord of the Admiralty- retained his loyalty to the brand. During the Second World War- Churchill maintained a stock of Pol Roger always at hand- even having a case loaded onto flights into foreign war zones- as both defeats and victories justified' its consumption. (Allied troops- after the liberation of Epernay and France in 1944 had special stocks of Pol Roger labeled and reserved for their use). www.polroger.co.uk    (hide)

October 2008

Pol Roger, one of a few luxury Champagne firms still family-owned, was established in Epernay in 1849. Pol Roger owns 200 acres of vineyards, which provide about 45% of their needs. Pol Roger's cellars extend over four miles of winding chalk passageways on two levels. The second or deeper cellar maintains a constant 9.5° C (50° F), one degree lower than the first level and most others in the region. This lower temperature slows the second fermentation, encouraging a finer mousse or bubbles. Pol Roger Champagne also spends two to three times the allowable minimum in the cellar before disgorgement, read more...or about three years for the non-vintage and up to seven for the luxury cuvees. The long, slow maturation contributes greatly to the complex aromas, which distinguish these superb Champagnes. The Vintage Brut follows the traditional formula for Pol Roger Vintage, being composed of about 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay drawn from 18 Grands and Premiers Crus. As always, the Pinot Noir contributes the intensity, backbone, tannins and body while the Chardonnay provides the fragrance, elegance, finesse essential to a perfect balance. Vintage Brut is only produced in declared vintage years.    (hide)

The Wine News rating: 95