Pol Roger : Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2016

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs 2016

Tasting

Appearance
The crystalline appearance reveals silvery highlights accompanied by a delicate and fine effervescence.

Nose
Initially reserved, the bouquet gradually unveils mineral notes of chalk and flint, enhanced by aromas of white flowers and yellow cherries. With aeration, nuances of citrus, exotic fruits, and cocoa butter blossom, giving a very refined and linear dimension.

Palate
The crisp and very fresh attack precedes a delicate, almost crunchy texture. Minerality dominates, accompanied by subtle citrus zest (lemon, orange) and a hint of toastiness. The saline, long and persistent finish reveals an elegant backbone of freshness within a well-balanced and promising whole.

Food and wine pairings

This champagne pairs perfectly with seafood, delicate fish, poultry, and fine cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2016 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. A minimum of 6 months of rest after disgorgement is observed before release.

A Blanc de Blancs Champagne Reflecting the Purity of the Grands Crus

The estate

Founded in 1849 by Pol Roger in Aÿ and later established in Épernay in 1851, this house remains one of the last major independent family-owned Champagne houses. Now managed by a board chaired by Laurent d'Harcourt, with Hubert de Billy and Isabelle Gautier, the estate has cultivated its own vineyards since the 1950s. Renowned for its historical ties with Winston Churchill, the House launched the Sir Winston Churchill cuvée in 1975. As a leader in the British market, it favors brut champagnes and maintains its artisanal character thanks to family independence.

The vineyard

The Pol Roger House oversees an exceptional Champagne vineyard of 92 hectares, including some of the finest parcels of the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs.

The vineyard

This Blanc de Blancs Vintage comes exclusively from the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs: Oiry, Chouilly, Cramant, Avize, Oger, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. These exceptional terroirs offer chardonnay optimal conditions for expression on the chalky soils characteristic of this prestigious region.

The vintage

The year 2016 began with a mild, dry winter, followed by a first half marked by low sunshine and record rainfall. A cold snap in mid-April, particularly intense on the 27th, affected the vegetative cycle. Flowering occurred on June 24th for chardonnay. A few hail episodes in July preceded a hot, sunny, and dry August, encouraging ripening. Harvesting began on September 10th in the earliest sites and ended in early October. Despite the excellent sanitary condition of the grapes, ripeness proved to be uneven.

Vinification and aging

Gentle and rapid pressing is followed by double settling, first in the press and then cold in vats for 24 hours. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at low temperature in stainless steel tanks, by grape variety and by cru. Malolactic fermentation is completed. After blending and bottling, the secondary fermentation and aging take place in cellars 33 meters underground. Manual riddling precedes disgorgement and dosage at 7 g/L.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay.