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News
Tasted 2015/10. This good-looking Pol Roger was filled to the upper neck. Decanted 5 minutes. Unexpectedly pale, but youthful looking light-gold colour. First a bit weird, old straw nose, but after another 30 minutes it opened wide and was full of chocolate, honey and cream flavours. The taste was wonderfully joie de vivre and full of energy. Not very sweet, but not dry either. Has a very fat and strong body, almost too big and commanding a wine for champagne, but well balanced and fully harmonious. Wine with substantial charm, and excellent multi-dimensional, long, crispy aftertaste. It is a very good aperitif, but also excellent with food!
Wine Description
The Story
Pol Roger recently celebrated its 150th anniversary and is perhaps best known as Winston Churchill's favourite Champagne. Established in 1849, Champagne Pol Roger remains family-owned and proudly independent to this day. Pol Roger, the 1831 born founder of the house, had lived in the Grand Cru village of Aÿ his whole childhood. The whole family supported the enterprise of their son. From early on Pol Roger focused in exports, and the English market was the most important one from the beginning. The commercial success of the company had its roots in the business model where they produced other champagne brands in the Pol Roger facilities. Pol Roger is one of the few remaining family owned Grande Marque champagne businesses.
The must undergoes two débourbages (settlings), one at the press house immediatly after pressing and the second, a débourbage à froid, in stainless steel tanks at 6°C over a 24 hour period. A slow cool fermentation with the temperature kept under 18°C takes place in stainless steel with each variety and each village kept seperate. The wine undergoes a full malolactic-fermentation prior to final blending. Secondary fermentation takes place in bottle at 9°C in the deepest Pol Roger cellars (33 metres below street level) where the wine is kept until it undergoes remuage (riddling) by hand, a rarity in Champagne nowadays. The very fine and persistent mousse for which Pol Roger is renowned owes much to these deep, cool and damp cellars.
Wine Information
BRUT 1921
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
An unusual dry year. Just a few drops of rain in June / July. The minimum recorded since 1811. On July 11th Epernay achieved a record temperature of 37°c.
Severe frost – 9°c caused substantial damages early April before moving up to 25°c late April.
Small crop of exceptionally fine quality.
HARVEST
• Picking September 19th
• Area : 10 625 kg
• Yield : 1 800 kg/hectare
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WINES
Exceptional grapes. Good balance. Lot of finesse.
A truly great vintage, distinguished by its power, body and vinosity.
80 % Pinot 20 % Chardonnay
The 1921 is one of the most exceptional of the older vintages and also one of the rarest.
Vintage 1921
The 1921 vintage in Champagne is remembered as an outstanding year that yielded wines of remarkable quality and character.
The weather conditions in Champagne during the 1921 growing season played a pivotal role in shaping the exceptional character of the vintage. The year began with a cold winter, followed by a spring with ideal conditions for flowering. Summer was warm and dry, with consistent sunshine, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The harvest took place under clear skies, resulting in grapes of extraordinary quality.
Champagne 1921: The 1921 Champagne vintage is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the region's history. These Champagnes are known for their remarkable aging potential and complexity.
Appearance: The 1921 Champagnes typically exhibit a pale golden color with a fine and persistent effervescence, showcasing their freshness and vitality even after many years of aging.
Nose: On the nose, the 1921 Champagnes offer an alluring bouquet with aromas of citrus zest, white flowers, hints of toasted brioche, and a subtle honeyed note. There is a pronounced mineral character that adds depth and complexity to the aromatic profile.
Palate: In the mouth, the 1921 Champagnes are marked by their remarkable depth, finesse, and balance. The bubbles are finely integrated, providing a creamy and luxurious mouthfeel. The acidity remains vibrant, lending a refreshing quality to the wines. Flavors of ripe orchard fruits, honeyed notes, and hints of hazelnut intermingle harmoniously, creating a profound and enduring finish. These wines are exceptionally well-balanced, showcasing the elegance and longevity that Champagne is renowned for.
Overall Impressions: The Champagne 1921 vintage is considered a legendary year in the region's history. These wines have aged gracefully and continue to captivate wine enthusiasts with their complexity and character. They are a testament to the exceptional winemaking prowess of Champagne and offer a unique opportunity to experience a moment in history when Champagne truly sparkled.
