Pol Roger Brut En étui Pol Roger, 2016

Pol Roger Brut 2016 is a vintage Champagne that captures the house’s signature elegance in a particularly refined and expressive year. Crafted only in years that meet Pol Roger’s high standards, this cuvée is presented here in its own gift box (étui), making it as suitable for collecting as it is for celebrating. Combining depth, freshness and fine balance, it’s a classic expression of Champagne’s noble grapes from one of the region’s most respected family-run houses.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Pol Roger Brut 2016 shows a bright, luminous lemon-gold colour, animated by a very fine and persistent mousse. The nose opens with precise, pure aromas of citrus zest, crisp green apple and white flowers, followed by deeper notes of brioche, roasted nuts and a touch of stone fruit as it unfolds in the glass. On the palate, this Champagne is both vibrant and structured, reflecting its Pinot Noir backbone and Chardonnay finesse. Expect a lively attack of lemon, pear and orchard fruit, layered with hints of apricot, almond cream and subtle spice. The texture is creamy yet taut, with a chalky, mineral edge that carries through to a long, saline-tinged finish. Still youthful but already harmonious, the 2016 Brut has the concentration and acidity to age gracefully for 8–12 years from vintage, developing more toast, honey and hazelnut complexity with time in the cellar.

Production
Pol Roger Brut 2016 is typically sourced from a selection of grands and premiers crus in the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs, where chalk-based soils and cool conditions give both tension and aromatic precision. The blend brings together Pinot Noir for structure and red-fruited depth, Chardonnay for finesse and lift, and a touch of Pinot Meunier to round out the mid-palate. Grapes are hand-harvested to ensure pristine fruit, then gently pressed in small fractions to preserve delicacy. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel, with each village and grape variety vinified separately before blending. The wine undergoes a second fermentation in bottle and is aged for several years on its lees in Pol Roger’s deep, cool cellars, contributing to its fine mousse and creamy complexity, before disgorgement and a carefully judged dosage to maintain balance and freshness.

Food & Serving
This vintage Champagne is wonderfully versatile at the table. It pairs beautifully with oysters, scallops, sashimi and other delicate seafood, as well as lobster, turbot or sole in light butter or citrus sauces. It also complements fine poultry dishes, roasted guinea fowl, veal in cream sauces, or a selection of soft-ripened cheeses such as Brie or Chaource. Serve well-chilled at around 8–10°C; if too cold, allow it a few minutes in the glass to open up. A brief aeration in the glass is usually sufficient, but for more mature bottles or more layered gastronomic occasions, a gentle, short decant (10–15 minutes) in a narrow carafe can help reveal its more complex, autolytic notes.

Producer
Founded in 1849 in Épernay, Pol Roger remains one of Champagne’s great family-owned houses, revered for its impeccably balanced, classically styled wines. Over generations, the estate has built a reputation for precision, consistency and discretion, becoming a favourite of connoisseurs and a historic choice of Sir Winston Churchill, who lent his name to the house’s prestige cuvée. With extensive holdings in prime crus and famously deep, cool cellars, Pol Roger is known for its long lees aging and meticulous blending. Today, it stands as a benchmark producer in the region, regularly earning high praise from critics and playing a key role in defining the modern standard for refined, ageworthy Brut Champagnes.