The 2018 Brut Vintage champagne from Pol Roger is an invitation to savor the elegance of a generous year. With its subtle blend and fruity profile that is both full-bodied and refined, it is perfect as an aperitif but really comes into its own with food. This vintage offers aromas dominated by notes of fresh fruit, pineapple and white peach, enhanced by a creamy, pastry-like touch, and promises to be an exceptional wine for laying down.
The production of Pol Roger Brut Vintage 2018
Produced in limited quantities, Pol Roger's Brut Vintage 2018 cuvée reflects all the high standards and expertise of this iconic champagne house. It is made from grapes selected from 20 Grands and Premiers Crus, mainly located in the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs regions.
The Brut Vintage 2018 cuvée is made from:
- 60% Pinot Noir: a grape variety that gives the wine its structure, power, and aromatic depth, with notes of red fruit and a beautiful vinosity.
- 40% Chardonnay: a grape variety synonymous with finesse and elegance, which brings freshness, tension and floral and lemony aromas.
The terroir
The grapes come from two historic and complementary areas of the Champagne vineyards. The Montagne de Reims, dominated by Pinot Noir, produces full-bodied, intense wines that are made for aging. The Côte des Blancs, renowned for its crystalline Chardonnays, gives the wine its mineral sparkle and freshness. The combination of these two iconic terroirs gives the Brut Vintage 2018 its unique balance between power and refinement.
Vinification
After harvesting, the grapes are gently pressed and the juices undergo a double settling process, including one at 6°C, ensuring perfect clarity. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at a low temperature (60°F) in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats to preserve all the aromatic purity. Each grape variety and each vintage is vinified separately, allowing for optimal selection during blending.
Malolactic fermentation is carried out in its entirety, giving the wine a rounder texture and harmonious balance. After bottling, the second fermentation and aging take place in the house's historic cellars, located 33 meters underground, guaranteeing ideal conditions of freshness and humidity. The bottles are riddled by hand, according to traditional methods, before disgorging and dosage. The wine is dosed as Brut, thus maintaining a tension and freshness balanced by the roundness of the substance.
The 2018 vintage
The year 2018 in Champagne is considered a vintage of great quality, characterized by exceptional weather conditions. After a wet winter and a warm, sunny spring, the summer was particularly dry and generous, resulting in an abundant and perfectly ripe harvest. The grapes reached a rare level of maturity, combining aromatic richness and sufficient acidity to ensure excellent aging potential.
2018 is recognized as a vintage for aging, with an expected evolution over more than 15 years. It combines the opulence of sunny years with the precision of rigorous winemaking. Connoisseurs can already appreciate its vibrant fruit, but those who are more patient will discover, over time, increased complexity and evolved aromas of dried fruit, honey, and toasted notes.
Tasting notes
Color
The Brut Vintage 2018 has a pale yellow color with a brilliant shine. The effervescence is distinguished by an extremely fine and elegant bead, a sign of quality and long maturation in the cellar.
Nose
The nose is initially subtle and reserved, gradually opening up to reveal fresh fruit, exotic notes of pineapple and white peach, followed by hints of fresh butter and pastry cream. Aeration reveals a refined and promising complexity.
Palate
On the palate, this champagne seduces with its roundness, volume and lingering aromatic freshness. Pastry aromas dominate the attack, giving way to a tangy finish marked by lemon and citrus. The balance between fullness and tension makes this a wine that is both delicious and structured, with great potential for aging.
Serving suggestions
- Smoked salmon blinis
- Mushroom tartlets
- Comté cheese gougères
- Lobster roasted in butter
- Bresse chicken with cream
- Green asparagus risotto
- Lemon meringue pie
- Panna cotta with exotic fruits
- Vanilla macaroons
Storage and serving tips
Storing this champagne
To preserve all the finesse of the Brut Vintage 2018, it is essential to store it in optimal conditions: at a constant temperature of 42°F to 54°F, in total darkness, away from vibrations and in a horizontal position. These precautions ensure the freshness and longevity of the wine by keeping the cork moist and perfectly sealed.
Aging potential
The Brut Vintage 2018 has remarkable aging potential. In a 75 cl bottle, it will evolve gracefully for 15 years or more, developing complex aromas of dried fruit and honey while retaining a delicate effervescence. Those who enjoy young wines will appreciate it now for its freshness and fruitiness, while collectors can keep it in their cellars for a more mature experience.
Serving suggestions
Ideally, serve this champagne between 40 and 50°F in tulip glasses that concentrate the aromas while allowing the wine to breathe. Decanting is not necessary, but a little aeration in the glass will bring out its complexity. Open the bottle a few minutes before serving to allow it to open up.
Anecdote about this cuvée
Founded in 1849, Pol Roger is one of the few family-owned champagne houses still independent in Champagne. Brut Vintage has always represented the spirit of the house: a wine made for aging, combining technical precision and classic elegance. A famous anecdote tells that Winston Churchill, a great lover of Pol Roger, particularly appreciated the house's vintages, which he considered to be champagnes with character. The Brut Vintage 2018 continues this heritage, embodying the refined and timeless style of Pol Roger.
Critics' notes
Pol Roger's Brut Vintage 2018 has won over international critics:
- 93 pts - Parker: a fresh, fruity champagne with beautiful roundness and great aging potential.
- 97 pts - Quill & Pad: rated "absolutely brilliant," with exceptional aromatic complexity and a creamy texture.
- 93 pts - Antonio Galloni (Vinous): expressive and balanced, with notes of pear, kirsch and dried flowers, to be enjoyed now or in 15 years.
- 93-95 pts - Simon Field MW (Decanter): fine bubbles, floral and pastry aromas, elegant finish with hints of honey and biscuit.
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