Pol Roger Brut Vintage Magnum 2018 1.5L

Pol Roger Brut Vintage Magnum 2018 is the Épernay house’s 2018 vintage Champagne in a 1.5 litre magnum, equal to two standard bottles. It uses Pol Roger’s traditional vintage blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from 20 Grand and Premier Cru vineyards on the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs.

Buy Pol Roger Brut Vintage Magnum 2018 Online in New Zealand

Pol Roger is family owned and has made Champagne in Épernay since the mid-1800s. Its vintage wine is produced only in limited quantities. The juice is settled twice, the second time cold over 24 hours, then fermented slowly in steel below 18°C with each grape and village kept separate. After full malolactic fermentation and blending, the bottles go down to the deepest Pol Roger cellars, 33 metres below the town, for a second fermentation at 9°C. Every bottle is riddled by hand before disgorging.

The house notes the wine starts a little closed before opening up, with a finish it says points to good ageing potential. The magnum helps here: larger bottles develop more slowly, so this is a sound bottle to put away for a future anniversary or a 2018 birthday. Compared with the non-vintage Brut Réserve, it drops Meunier, leans more on Pinot Noir and shows more depth and roundness.

Pol Roger’s own tasting notes:

Nose: Subtle at first, opening to fresh fruit, pineapple and white peach, then fresh butter and pastry cream.

Palate: Round and full, with fresh aromatics and pastry notes.

Finish: Slightly tangy, with lemon and citrus.

Give the magnum several hours in the fridge and aim for about 9 to 10°C, served in generous white wine glasses. Its volume suits lobster or crayfish with butter, roast chicken or a whole baked fish. A magnum pours about 12 glasses.