Over 170 years, and across six generations of the Roger family, Champagne Pol Roger is rightfully regarded as an icon of world-class Champagne. Located on the historic and noble Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, the Pol Roger family has amassed a coveted combination of 92 hectares of spectacular estate plots and long-standing grower relationships across the entirety of the region. 

The 21st vintage of this cuvee, it stands as a testament of all the qualities Sir Winston Churchill appreciated in his Champagne… full-bodied character, robust in nature, and a fine maturity. While the precise blend is a Roger family secret, they do share that pinot noir is the dominant grape to provide structure and richness, with the supporting actor of chardonnay offering a touch of subtle elegance, all sourced from vineyards that were around and producing grapes in Churchill’s time. The juice goes through two settlings – one at the press house right after pressing, and one in stainless tanks over a 24-hour course – before a slow and cool fermentation in stainless steel, the vin clairs separated by village and grape variety. Full malolactic fermentation takes place before final blending, and then the secondary fermentation deep in the Pol Roger cellars, 33 meters below ground level, with regular hand riddling.

The final product exudes all the lush elegance and exquisite class you might imagine in such a bottle, with fresh and open aromas of dried apricots, grated hazelnuts, underripe blackberries, and spicy peppercorn tickling the nose before a complex and exotic palate pirouettes across the tongue. Charged notes of candied pineapple, lemon cream, white flowers, Honeycrisp apples, cassis, salty oyster shell, and brioche dough commingle for something magical and ultra-creamy, with a precise zipper of acidity to reign in all the bigger, bodacious flavors. Absolutely impressive, magnificent stuff, and though it’s on the heftier side of budget-friendly, this is a wine that is all-around enthralling, beguiling, and enchanting to drink. If you can get one, get one… if you can get more, by all means, make your move and enjoy the fruits of your wise decision-making for years to come, as this is certain to age as long!