Not quite the bottle my last one of these was. There's an earthy mushroomy quality that pushes around the clean, more delicate chardonnay notes. It's surprisingly light or medium-bodied, and in a bit of an awkward stage. I suppose if that mushroomy quality appeals to you, it's worth holding as I expect it to get even more pronounced. Good acidity, but it's framing a wine without great concentration, which makes it come across as a bit out-of-balance. Enjoyable, but nothing more and a bit of a disappointment.
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Lunch at La Trompette (La Trompette, London): Blind. Mid straw, persistent stream of very fine bubbles. Some maturity here but also a vibrancy. Good acidity. Screams Pol Roger, so maybe a good bottle of the 96. Turns out to be 98 BdB. Quite nuanced but every changing from classic buttery, to bitter orange, to slightly darker, more sour fruit. Hold up well and shows confidently but not showily. ****
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Wow this is really rocking! Mature aromas reminiscent of being at sea in an old wooden boat on a hot day. Medium bodied with piercing but well behaved acidity give good lift on the palate which is shows powerful fruit and roasted red meat. Light mineral finish. Was a little tight on opening but opened up after an hour in the decanter. This might improve for a very long time yet as it feels like it is really just starting to blossom. One of the very best 98s.
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Still showing some real freshness and youth with terrific energy and edgy, tight bubbles. There are notes of vanilla and buttered toast on the nose and palate. Powerful champagne that is really full in the mouth. Probably could stand some more years, but I quite enjoyed it last night.
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Very well balanced, but intensive nose with ripe apple, vanilla, brioche and nutty tones. There is some pear and appricot on the background. I could just enjoy the scent forever. The taste follows the nose nicely and even rises the impression further. There is good, rich acidity, balanced fruityness and very long, abundant taste. Despite its power, the wine is still elegant. For my taste, this is perfect now. Can be cellared for a long time though, I guess 10 more years or so.
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Same as last tried 2 years ago. Nice mousse and strong bead. Straw yellow in color. Light nose of bread and chalk. Delicious soft and smooth palate of bread, chalk and a hint of lemon. Beautiful wine.
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A near perfect Champagne that is in a really nice place now if you like that balance between the freshness of youth and complexity of age. I couldn't guess whether this will get better. A matter of taste really.
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Leon's Burgundy @ Medlar (The Medlar, London): Nicely rich, creamy, slightly appley bready nose. A little spice and ginger sitting behind it. Quite rich and rounded through the front of the mid-palate. Finishes a little short with a nicely refined touch of honey. ***1/2
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Nice mousse and bead. Straw yellow. Nose of bread and hint of lemon. Beautiful balanced palate with perfect acidity. Yeast with soft minerality. Delicious!
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Instructive to drink this immediately after the 98 brut. This was clearly lighter, sharper, much more edge, perhaps finer, but hard to say which I prefer
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My three bottles consumed so far have been quite variable, but all have been good. This one was very tight and will certainly hold for another couple of decades.
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Lots of potential. Bouquet is reminiscent of 99 Philipponnat Goisses, with it's cliff-like minerality, pungent pear and apple skin notes. Plus the Pol Roger funk that I dig, which is seen even in their NV Brut Reserve. Drawn butter and fruit that is tacky, clinging to the palate refusing to be drawn down the gullet. Still young, hold.
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a favourite - when it warms up just a bit in the glass there is a waft of baked rye which I hadn't noticed last time. Adds a dimension and very fram from yeasty. quite ready to be had this bottle, in fact. finish is not the longest, but a second sip does the trick and voila the bottle is empty...
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Tight, lean, very young-tasting, elegant, but nowhere near as expressive or interesting as the straight PR '98 we had two days previously. Clearly classy, but I reckon this needs a fair few more years.
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This vintage among Pol Roger seems to be maturing much faster than their 1996es, but tonight, this was a good thing. Scents of salty ocean air, brioche and some white peach were half of the equation which saw four thirsty souls down this in record time. The palate was less giving with red apple and spicy pear - but should reward time in bottle over the shorter term. Starting to round into form. Loved this.
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9/22/2023 - beatles wrote: 92 Points
Round, velvety, sweet, plenty of butter, honey, citrus, hints of coffee very Burgundian; extremely sexy drink.
#preParsley
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8/3/2018 - Atreyu wrote: 95 Points
intense, concentrated bright fruit and aromas of the sea with lots of life still ahead. Surprisingly good.
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3/11/2018 - psmith wrote: 89 Points
Not quite the bottle my last one of these was. There's an earthy mushroomy quality that pushes around the clean, more delicate chardonnay notes. It's surprisingly light or medium-bodied, and in a bit of an awkward stage. I suppose if that mushroomy quality appeals to you, it's worth holding as I expect it to get even more pronounced. Good acidity, but it's framing a wine without great concentration, which makes it come across as a bit out-of-balance. Enjoyable, but nothing more and a bit of a disappointment.
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2/9/2018 - SimonG wrote: 91 Points
Lunch at La Trompette (La Trompette, London): Blind. Mid straw, persistent stream of very fine bubbles. Some maturity here but also a vibrancy. Good acidity. Screams Pol Roger, so maybe a good bottle of the 96. Turns out to be 98 BdB. Quite nuanced but every changing from classic buttery, to bitter orange, to slightly darker, more sour fruit. Hold up well and shows confidently but not showily. ****
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12/30/2017 - hargy Likes this wine: 91 Points
undoubtedly fully mature but full of character and develops nicely as it warms in the bottle over an hour or so - delicious!
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3/11/2017 - Atreyu wrote:
fully mature
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8/16/2014 - Rupert wrote: 88 Points
Oxidative and, dare I say, a bit flabby, with none of the toasty precision of the 99
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6/19/2014 - Atreyu wrote: 95 Points
Wow this is really rocking! Mature aromas reminiscent of being at sea in an old wooden boat on a hot day. Medium bodied with piercing but well behaved acidity give good lift on the palate which is shows powerful fruit and roasted red meat. Light mineral finish. Was a little tight on opening but opened up after an hour in the decanter. This might improve for a very long time yet as it feels like it is really just starting to blossom. One of the very best 98s.
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5/25/2014 - decaturwinedude wrote: 93 Points
Still showing some real freshness and youth with terrific energy and edgy, tight bubbles. There are notes of vanilla and buttered toast on the nose and palate. Powerful champagne that is really full in the mouth. Probably could stand some more years, but I quite enjoyed it last night.
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3/15/2014 - Rupert wrote: 88 Points
Served a bit too cold and perhaps that was why it seemed a bit out of sorts, metallic and reserved
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1/1/2014 - jkyhala Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very well balanced, but intensive nose with ripe apple, vanilla, brioche and nutty tones. There is some pear and appricot on the background. I could just enjoy the scent forever. The taste follows the nose nicely and even rises the impression further. There is good, rich acidity, balanced fruityness and very long, abundant taste. Despite its power, the wine is still elegant. For my taste, this is perfect now. Can be cellared for a long time though, I guess 10 more years or so.
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12/31/2013 - cos82 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Same as last tried 2 years ago. Nice mousse and strong bead. Straw yellow in color. Light nose of bread and chalk. Delicious soft and smooth palate of bread, chalk and a hint of lemon. Beautiful wine.
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12/26/2013 - Rupert wrote:
Toasty, rich for a BdB, bold and grand. On superb form
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11/7/2013 - rwpalmer wrote: 93 Points
A near perfect Champagne that is in a really nice place now if you like that balance between the freshness of youth and complexity of age. I couldn't guess whether this will get better. A matter of taste really.
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5/2/2013 - SimonG wrote: 90 Points
Leon's Burgundy @ Medlar (The Medlar, London): Nicely rich, creamy, slightly appley bready nose. A little spice and ginger sitting behind it. Quite rich and rounded through the front of the mid-palate. Finishes a little short with a nicely refined touch of honey. ***1/2
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3/14/2013 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:
Lemony fruit, ripe, spicy, some vanilla notes, very acidic, still a little young
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1/3/2013 - Mike Spinks wrote:
- Yellow color.
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11/19/2011 - cos82 wrote: 92 Points
Nice mousse and bead. Straw yellow. Nose of bread and hint of lemon. Beautiful balanced palate with perfect acidity. Yeast with soft minerality. Delicious!
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2/21/2011 - spacewrangler wrote: 90 Points
Rather tight but this is similar in profile to the 02 Gimonnet Fleurons. Let these sleep for 5 more years.
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1/22/2011 - projsarn Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent! Can't wait to have another one!
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12/27/2010 - dbkitc wrote: 86 Points
Light bodied and mature. Didn’t pack a lasting punch. A tad disappointing. (86)
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12/26/2010 - Rupert wrote: 92 Points
Instructive to drink this immediately after the 98 brut. This was clearly lighter, sharper, much more edge, perhaps finer, but hard to say which I prefer
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10/10/2010 - rwpalmer wrote: 92 Points
Lovely refined, brioche blanc do blanc. Quite intense, lean and dry. Sophisticated with 5+ years in hand
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7/22/2010 - spacewrangler wrote: 93 Points
Still very young, better on day 2. Intense minerality and pear fruit that have loads of cut and precision. Hold for a couple of years.
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6/20/2010 - Atreyu wrote: 92 Points
My three bottles consumed so far have been quite variable, but all have been good. This one was very tight and will certainly hold for another couple of decades.
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5/28/2010 - Employee500 wrote: 90 Points
Very good wine, classic/typical "Pol Roger" style...
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1/2/2010 - ludwigbpm wrote: 92 Points
Jour de l'an 2010
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11/23/2009 - spacewrangler wrote: 92 Points
Lots of potential. Bouquet is reminiscent of 99 Philipponnat Goisses, with it's cliff-like minerality, pungent pear and apple skin notes. Plus the Pol Roger funk that I dig, which is seen even in their NV Brut Reserve. Drawn butter and fruit that is tacky, clinging to the palate refusing to be drawn down the gullet. Still young, hold.
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5/16/2009 - Omar Khayyam wrote: 92 Points
a favourite - when it warms up just a bit in the glass there is a waft of baked rye which I hadn't noticed last time. Adds a dimension and very fram from yeasty. quite ready to be had this bottle, in fact. finish is not the longest, but a second sip does the trick and voila the bottle is empty...
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5/8/2009 - Russell Faulkner wrote: 90 Points
Fish and Chips and Fizz: Initially this screamed Pol Roger, a slightly memphitic almost meaty edge, I am not sure it suits a BdB too well though.
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5/7/2009 - Rupert wrote: 91 Points
Fish and Chips and Fizz (Masters Superfish, London SE1): A touch acrid on entry, and after the squidgy Henriot, this seemed steely and structured, but I found the minerality exhilarating
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12/25/2008 - Rupert wrote: 92 Points
Streets ahead of the bottle we had at the beginning of the month - this was ripe, deep, creamy, very rich, beautiful, grand champagne
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12/6/2008 - Rupert wrote: 90 Points
Tight, lean, very young-tasting, elegant, but nowhere near as expressive or interesting as the straight PR '98 we had two days previously. Clearly classy, but I reckon this needs a fair few more years.
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9/24/2008 - Employee500 wrote: 90 Points
Solid, nice minerality, slightly lean. A few years may "richen" this up.
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9/1/2008 - spacewrangler wrote: 93 Points
Very young, but beginning to flesh out some.
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7/12/2008 - Omar Khayyam wrote: 92 Points
lovely, heavy full bodied with floral nose and very balanced. but could stay in the cellar for a while yet.
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5/27/2008 - spacewrangler wrote: 93 Points
This vintage among Pol Roger seems to be maturing much faster than their 1996es, but tonight, this was a good thing. Scents of salty ocean air, brioche and some white peach were half of the equation which saw four thirsty souls down this in record time. The palate was less giving with red apple and spicy pear - but should reward time in bottle over the shorter term. Starting to round into form. Loved this.
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4/27/2008 - french16 wrote: 90 Points
Still young. Fresh, hint of lemon and toast. Elegant. Fine bubbles. FInish a littleshort
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4/9/2008 - spacewrangler wrote: 92 Points
Very young, but delicious bottle to lay down.
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3/7/2008 - thewiz Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fine palate with minerals and lemon. But still very young.
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10/18/2007 - CamWheeler wrote: 85 Points
CIVC Champagne Tasting (Sydney, Australia): Spice and bread on the nose. Palate is simple and shows some bitterness on the finish which lets it down.
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9/24/2007 - ews3 wrote: 88 Points
MW Champagne Tasting (Cornell Club, NYC): stinky pear, toast, butter. medium acid, medium(-) finish.
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3/18/2007 - Rupert wrote: 87 Points
Saw a couple of rave reviews of this on BBs and expected a lot more. Fresh and nicely balanced, but seems very simple at this stage.
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