The NV Pol Roger Brut Reserve, a nonvintage Champagne blend, is a creation of the esteemed Pol Roger house located in the Champagne region of France. This wine is a balanced mix of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, each contributing to its renowned complexity and elegance. The blend consists of 75% from the 2018 vintage and 25% reserve wines, embodying the house's characteristic style and consistency.
James Suckling awarded it 92 points, describing it as having "Fresh Amalfi lemons, pear skins, apples, rhubarb and hints of anise on the nose." He praised its "excellent depth and flavor concentration" with "creamy bubbles" and noted the seamless integration of "fruit and spice." Suckling's review suggests it is ready to be enjoyed now.
Decanter also gave it 92 points and highlighted its "flamboyant straw gold lustre" and "immediately seductive nose." The reviewer found an "encyclopaedic" range of aromas including "nougat, praline, white pepper, spice, and nectarine," attributing these to the wine's long yeast aging. Decanter commended its "luminous marriage of power and finesse," calling it "consistently excellent."
Wine Spectator's review, scoring it another 92 points, identified it as an "expressive Champagne" featuring a "pure beam of ripe black currant fruit" with vivacious acidity and a harmonious texture. The finish was noted for accents of "star anise, pickled ginger, toast and preserved lemon."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate mirrored these sentiments, assigning a 92 and describing the wine as "bursting with aromas of mandarin oil, honeycomb, elderflower, fresh bread, and musky peach." The Advocate highlighted its "generous and textural" nature, emphasizing its "rich core of fruit, lively acids, and a pillowy mousse."
Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss observed that it is "fresh and hinting at maturity" with a "high proportion of Pinot Noir," reflecting Pol Roger's house style. He recommended drinking it now.
Halliday Wine Companion gave this Champagne an impressive 95 points, noting its "flowery bouquet" and "terrific mouthfeel," with "Meyer lemon cleansing the finish and aftertaste." The review highlighted its composition from "30 crus, 25% reserve wines" and its "4 years on tirage."
Jeb Dunnuck's review, scoring it 91 points, described it as "bright silver straw" in hue with a "floral perfume of white flowers, fresh pear, and fresh almond." He found it "attractive and approachable" with "juicy peach fruit" and "a pinpoint mousse and a clean finish."
The Wine Independent also rated it 92 points, noting its "delicate notes of apple tart, fresh quince, honey, a light toastiness and a whiff of elderflower." The review praised its "clean acidity and ripe orchard fruit," calling it a "classic champagne style."
Overall, the NV Pol Roger Brut Reserve is widely acclaimed for its depth, balance, and consistent excellence, making it a solid choice for both immediate enjoyment and short-term aging.