The Magnum Pol Roger Brut Vintage 2018, presented in its elegant case, is the embodiment of the traditional excellence of this great family-owned House. Produced from a generous, high-quality year, this vintage reflects the perfect balance between the power of Pinot Noir and the finesse of Chardonnay. Produced in limited quantities and aged in the icy depths of the Epernay cellars, this cuvée reveals an aromatic complexity combining exotic fruits and pastry notes. The Magnum format, ideal for aging, offers a round and voluminous wine with promising aging potential.
The production of Pol Roger Vintage 2018
The blend of this 2018 vintage respects Pol Roger's historic signature with 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. The winemaking process is carried out with the utmost rigor: after gentle pressing, the must undergoes double settling. The first settling takes place at the pressing center, followed by a second cold settling (6°C) for 24 hours in the winery, ensuring perfect purity of the juice. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at a low temperature (18°C) in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, preserving the freshness of the fruit and allowing each vintage and grape variety to be vinified separately before final blending.
The Terroir
The grapes selected for this cuvée come exclusively from 20 Grands and Premiers Crus located on the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. These exceptional terroirs provide the structure and minerality necessary for the production of a great wine with aging potential, capable of standing the test of time.
Vinification
The House systematically carries out malolactic fermentation on all its wines to bring roundness and complexity. Once bottled, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation and aging at a depth of 33 meters, in chalk cellars where the temperature remains cool and constant. In a rare practice in Champagne, each bottle is riddled by hand in the traditional manner before disgorging and dosage, perpetuating centuries-old artisanal expertise.
The 2018 vintage
The year 2018 in Champagne will be remembered for its exceptional weather conditions, resulting in an early and abundant harvest. The grapes, harvested at perfect sanitary maturity, produced expressive and structured wines. For Pol Roger, this vintage translates into rich substance and beautiful aromatic freshness, heralding remarkable aging potential, particularly in this large format.
The advantages of the Magnum
The Magnum format (1.5 liters) is the preferred container for connoisseurs. Thanks to a larger volume of wine in relation to the amount of air in the neck of the bottle, oxidation is considerably slowed down. The wine develops more slowly, gaining in complexity and harmony. Protected by its case, this magnum is the ideal format for celebrating a special occasion or for leaving the wine in the cellar for a few years.
Tasting the cuvée
Color
The color is a pale, crystalline yellow. The effervescence is very fine, forming a delicate and elegant string of bubbles on the surface of the glass.
Nose
The initial nose, subtle and slightly closed, gradually opens up to reveal notes of fresh fruit, white peach, and exotic fruits such aspineapple. With aeration, the bouquet becomes more indulgent with hints of fresh butter and pastry cream.
Palate
On the palate, the wine seduces with its characteristic volume and roundness. There are notes of pastry that bring a lot of character. The finish, tangy and lemony, offers good length and a lingering sensation of freshness.
Food pairing
- Scallop carpaccio
- Sea bream tartare
- Asparagus with mousseline sauce
- Poularde with cream sauce
- Risotto with prawns
- Veal blanquette
- Lemon meringue pie
- Vanilla millefeuille
- Exotic fruit salad
Storage and serving tips
How should this champagne be stored?
This Magnum in a case is designed for storage. Store it horizontally, away from light and temperature fluctuations, ideally between 40 and 50°F. The 1.5L format allows for slow and harmonious development over time.
Aging potential
Although already expressive, this 2018 vintage has sufficient acidity and substance to stand the test of time. It can be enjoyed today after a little aeration, but will reach its full aromatic potential around 2030, or even later thanks to the magnum effect.
Serving suggestions
Serve this champagne at a temperature between 9 and 11°C. As the nose is initially a little closed, don't hesitate to leave it to breathe for a few minutes in the glass to release its aromas of fresh butter and exotic fruits.
Anecdote about this cuvée
Pol Roger is one of the last Champagne Houses to practice manual riddling on almost all of its vintage production. Four professional riddlers handle up to 60,000 bottles every day in the deep cellars, located 33 meters underground, ensuring perfect clarification of the wine in the purest respect for tradition.
