1996 Pol Roger Brut Vintage
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Tasting notes
Magnum. Disgorged March 2006. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 15-20% grands crus and premiers crus. First magnum a bit eviscerated. Second was richer on the nose with some lime fruit. Quite opulent but not (yet?) that subtle. A bit fossilised. A bit tight and ungenerous, although it opened up in the glass. (JR)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
From magnums served at a 21st birthday party for a wine merchant's daughter called, appropriately enough, Polly. Absolutely sublime. By now fully mature – cast off its youthful acidity – and a very broad, satisfying wine without being in any way heavy. Bone dry and with some putty and breadiness but also great breadth and length. This was a great vintage when it worked (even if some wines never had enough fruit density to throw off their high charge of acidity) and it really showcases great champagne with magnum age. I have not tasted this wine from bottle recently. (JR)
Tight and neat. Much more fruit than the 1998. Dense and very, very solid. Masses of acidity. Quite long and with great length. (JR)
Disgorged 28 mar 05. Extremely lively mousse. Wonderful meat and two veg nose – broad and yet dense. A certain creaminess reminiscent of cream soda. Lots of interest here with something reminds me a bit of Dom Pérignon character. Very tight knit underneath too but there is sufficient bouquet already to keep one entranced. (JR)
About the producer
Pol Roger is one of Champagne’s most respected Grandes Marques. While it is best known undoubtedly for its prestige cuvée Sir Winston Churchill, it also produces one of the finest non-vintage bottlings on the market.