Pol Roger Wine Society 150th Anniversary Tasting

Churchill War Rooms
Tasted Wednesday, March 13, 2024 by lozatron with 42 views

Introduction

The first time I've been to this venue and an absolute privilege it is. Managed to tag onto a tour on the way in - I shall definitely come back.

The event was hosted by Sarah Knowles, Champagne buyer for the Wine Society as well as James Simpson and Martin Heidseick from Pol Roger. Martin is a sixth generation champagne person on two sides, also descending from the Charles Heidseick family.

Flight 1 (6 Notes)

  • NV Pol Roger Champagne Brut Réserve

    France, Champagne

    Poured from mag. Somewhat mature nose - oak in there? Later learned that there was no oak anywhere in the wines of this house...d'oh! More than decent NV champagne. A second glass was surprisingly different - much more sherbety, much fresher, less complex. Different magnums but both 18 base year I was informed.

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  • NV Pol Roger Champagne Pure Extra Brut

    France, Champagne

    Poured from bottle. Zero dosage. Deep colour. Slightly baked apple nose but this character isn't reflected on the palate. Acid / fruit to the fore here but it's not angry, just a little short. The PR representative told us "a wine that only global warming makes possible".

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  • NV Pol Roger Champagne Rich Demi-Sec

    France, Champagne

    Dosage 34 g/l. Pale colour. No sweetness on the nose. More balanced, less sweet on the palate than I expected - it's only really the aftertaste which is sweet - there's a great deal of acidity to balance the sweetness. More a curiosity than something I'd choose to buy, but a well put together drink.

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  • 2015 Pol Roger Champagne Blanc de Blancs

    France, Champagne

    Dosage 7 g/l. First vintage of this wine was 59. Pale. Taut. On the nose - spritzy, a hint of churchyard? This prompted the oak question which led to a story about how PR has been vinifying solely in steel for some time now. There's good balance here, light on its feet. My wine of the tasting.

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  • 2018 Pol Roger Champagne Vintage Brut

    France, Champagne

    The newest release. Taut. Quiet. More expressive on the nose than palate. There's clearly material there but hard to get to - a hint of fresh lemon and preserved lemon. 2018 was described by the mother of the person conducting the tasting as "harvest of the century".

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  • 2015 Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

    France, Champagne

    Someone said soapy on the nose, and I started to get that - not sure if autosuggestion. Probably some reductive note that blew off? This is very energetic, vibrant, there's substance there and length. Clearly a grand wine but more than the B de B has the slightly candied characteristic I associate with 2015 champagne.

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Closing

In the end the White Foil (en magnum) and the Blanc de Blancs were the wines that seemed the best. With that said, I shall surely be near the front of the line when Winston is available in pint bottles...

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