2019 Pol Roger: an outstanding vintage, a future icon

'The finest vintage releases of recent times at this house'

It's one of the great historic Champagne houses. In the mid-nineteenth century when most Champagne was still sweet, Monsieur Pol Roger chose to focus on a brut style, which he knew the British market favoured; success and a royal warrant soon followed. It wasn't all plain sailing. In 1900, their cellars caved in, with a huge loss of stock; and two World Wars, the Depression, the Russian Revolution and Prohibition in America all put a brake on growth. But through it all and to this day, the house of Pol Roger is guided by a concern for quality above all.

As well as their Brut Réserve, in better years they release a vintage. 2019 saw all the weathers, with winter snow, spring rain, April frosts, summer drought and two heatwaves. While the season kept growers on their toes, it also led to some remarkably good, consistently ripe and healthy fruit - and in the fullness of time, a vintage Pol Roger.

The house style is defined by Pinot first, and in 2019 they used 63% Pinot Noir to 37% Chardonnay. (No Meunier in the vintage cuvée). 2019 Pol Roger is blended purely from premier and grand cru grapes, from the Montagne de Reims (including Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay), the Grande Vallée de la Marne (including Cumières, Hautvilliers and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ) and the Côte des Blancs (including Avize, Chouilly and Vertus). Dosage is a crisp 7g/l.

Hubert de Billy is a fifth-generation member of the Pol Roger family, and a global ambassador for the Champagne. In his assessment, 2019 was 'one of those rare years when all the elements came together perfectly. It stands out as a truly remarkable vintage year. It will be iconic in years to come'. But there's no need at all to take his word for it; come to Uncorked this Thursday and form your own opinion. We'll have a bottle of 2019 Pol Roger on free tasting from noon, alongside some other great recent Champagne releases. /NT

Offered subject to remaining unsold. Wines available imminently.To place an order, click on the wines below or call 020 7638 5998