Pol Roger Brut Rose 2018 Vintage Champagne 75cl

The Story of the Vintage

After an exceptionally wet and gloomy end to 2017, temperatures dropped to their lowest point during a cold February. This was accompanied by some snowfall, but also some welcome sunshine after months of grey weather. Then, from April to June, a combination of sunshine and temperatures above the ten-year average led to a rapid development of the fruit. Full flowering was recorded on the 30th of May for the Chardonnay, followed by the 2nd of June for the Pinot Noir and the 3rd of June for the Meunier — a total of ten days ahead of the ten-year average. 

Vinification and Maturation

The must undergoes two débourbages (settlings), one at the press house immediatly after pressing and the second, a débourbage à froid, in stainless steel tanks at 6°C over a 24 hour period. A slow cool fermentation with the temperature kept under 18°C takes place in stainless steel with each variety and each village kept seperate. The wine undergoes a full malolactic-fermentation prior to final blending. Secondary fermentation takes place in bottle at 9°C in the deepest Pol Roger cellars (33 metres below street level) where the wine is kept until it undergoes remuage (riddling) by hand, a rarity in Champagne nowadays. The very fine and persistent mousse for which Pol Roger is renowned owes much to these deep, cool and damp cellars.

The Cuvée

Pol Roger does not make a Non-Vintage Rosé, preferring to release only in vintage years. The Brut Rose Vintage 2018 is produced from a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay drawn from some 20 Premiers and Grands crus on the "Montagne de Reims" and the "Côte des Blancs". In order to obtain its delicate colour and subtle nose 15% Pinot Noir, from selected vineyards in Bouzy, Ambonnay and Cumieres, is vinified "en rouge" and added to the blend prior to the second fermentation.

Tasting Notes

Pale salmon with delicate pink hues. Great intensity of colour with a fine and persistent effervescence.
The nose is intense and reminiscent of a basket of red fruits where raspberry, redcurrant and blackcurrant mingle, with the added nuances of exotic mango and papaya. With time and air, the floral aromas of rose and honeysuckle then dominate.  Mouth-filling on the palate with some sophistication and an impressive length. Despite the obvious ripeness on the palate, the wine has a terrific freshness and very present acidity suggesting a bright future for this cuvée.