Brut Reserve 'White Foil' (NV)

"The current release of Pol Roger's NV Brut Réserve is quite dramatic, bursting with aromas of mandarin oil, honeycomb, elderflower, fresh bread and musky peach. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, it's generous and textural, with a rich core of fruit, lively acids and a pillowy mousse."

"This has impressively energetic style with bold lemon, peach and berry aromas, in quite pure mode. The palate delivers a boldly vinous impression with a succulent drive of citrus and hazelnut flavors. Drink now."

"A graceful Champagne, round and creamy, with a fresh frame of citrusy acidity enlivening the delicate flavors of ripe Gala apple, candied ginger and toast point. Drink now." –AN

"The cuvée from this producer sums up everything about its Champagnes. It is rich wine, full of Pinot Noir giving structure as well as generous fruitiness. With its texture balanced by the wine's fresher acidity, the Champagne is poised and ready to drink."

Ten Top Champagnes And Sparklings For The Perfect New Year’s Eve -- "Polish, precision and purity define this domaine—which was founded in 1849. These Champagnes are still riddled by hand and Pol Roger is home to some of the deepest (and coldest) cellars in the region. Aside from all of that, this was the Champagne served at Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding (and Kate and William’s). They must have loved the notes of Pink Lady apple and lemon cream."

"The nonvintage blend from this producer is just right. This wine brings the house style of richness from Pinot Noir together with crisp acidity and a balanced dosage. This bottling is now ready to drink."

"This balanced Champagne shows a fresh crunchiness, with flavors of nectarine, pink grapefruit pith, oyster shell and ground ginger riding the creamy mousse. Drink now. 9,000 cases imported."

"Very tangy and energetic with apple and lemon-curd aromas and flavors. Bright and exciting. Tight and full-bodied. Layered and solid. Dried fruit with an electric finish. Zingy is the word. Drink now."

The Best Summer Champagnes Under $100 -- "When you need a bottle for a dinner party that looks timeless and elegant, grab the Pol Roger. High quality, and with a $45 price tag, you won’t mind sharing with friends. Equal parts pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay, from 30 different crus, encompass the blend. Notes of pastry, lemon and pear mingle with brioche and dried nuts on the creamy palate."

"The latest rendition of Pol Roger's NV Brut Reserve is based on the 2013 vintage and incorporates 25% reserve wines from the 2012, 2011 and 2010 vintages. Disgorged six months ago, the wine wafts from the glass with an alluring bouquet of green apple, brioche, pastry cream and buttered toast. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, impressively layered and complete, with a crisp but fleshy core of fruit, a youthfully frothy mousse and bright acids, concluding with a delicately chalky finish. This is one of the very finest—as well as among the most consistent—non-vintage brut bottlings from any of the Grandes Marques, and this release comes very warmly recommended. While it will be drinkable on release, it will reward some bottle age too.

One of Champagne's finest houses, Pol Roger produces among the most consistent ranges of all the Grandes Marques. The style is full-bodied and elegantly fleshy, dominated by Pinot Noir. Only some 20% of any given year will be vintaged, as the maison privileges its NV Brut Réserve—and indeed, while many non-vintage Bruts fluctuate in quality, Pol Roger's "white foil" bottling is both remarkably reliable and long-lived—which ranks as one of the region's best values. Today, the house ferments all its base wines in stainless steel at low temperature, followed by manual riddling. I'll be devoting a longer article to Pol Roger in a future issue."

"A well-cut Champagne, with a zesty mousse, this offers a harmonious mix of crème de cassis, Honeycrisp apple, candied ginger and toasty notes, offering a subtle, smoke- and spice-tinged finish. Drink now through 2021. Tasted twice, with consistent notes."

Pol Rogers nonvintage cuve is perfectly in the house style with its great balance and poise between crisp dryness and a softer character. That makes for a very drinkable wine, rich, stylish and ready to drink now.

"The 2016 Crozes-Hermitage Blanc (100% Marsanne) offers a medium to full-bodied, ripe, impressively textured profile. Lavender, honeyed melon, caramelized citrus and some funky earth notes all emerge from this lively, balanced white that will shine on the dinner table."

Pol Roger's NV offering is looking fresh with gently biscuity aromas and peach and nectarine fruits. The palate offers plenty of flesh in an attractive, easygoing style. Bright and pleasing. Drink now.

(33% chardonnay, 33% pinot noir, 33% pinot meunier, SRP $50, 12 g/L). There is plenty of citrus character present on the green apple, floral and discreet spice wisps. There is good verve to the delicious and relatively rich medium weight flavors that are shaped by a moderately firm if not especially refined mousse, all wrapped in a clean, dry and notably complex finish that is definitely drier than the stated level of dosage would suggest.

Every journey needs a good send-off, so begin with Champagne. Its the ursparkling wine, the one after which all others are modeled. For a benchmark, open the NV Pol Roger Brut Rserve White Foil, a brioche-scented bubbly from one of the last major houses thats still family owned.

Yeasty nutty aroma with a touch of honeyed pear; clean and crisp with lively mousse and bright lemon and toasty brioche flavors.

This is a well-balanced, ripe wine in the producers rich house style. A brighter, more mineral crispness and acidity also come through strongly in this bottling. The aftertaste brings together a mineral texture and full yellow and apple fruits. Drink now

An elegant Champagne, with a smoky, minerally underpinning and subtle flavors of poached pear, toast, candied lemon zest and ginger riding the finely detailed bead. Harmonious, and hard to stop sipping. Drink now through 2020.

750ml: Mid-weight classic, always among the best. Light on its feet with hawthorn and hazelnut scents and a peachy palate.

Magnum: Freshness, intensity and spicy complexity into its second life.

"Straw yellow and with a golden hue in color, the Pol Roger NV Rserve Brut displays a brilliant, perfectly ripe but also fresh, highly elegant and refined fruit aroma on the nose; think of cooked pip fruits like pears and apples, but also quince-confiture and yellow stone fruits, such as apricots and peaches intermixed with vanilla, brioche (pain aux raisins), some nutty flavors and also some white floral notes. On the palate, this medium-bodied Brut is as round (if not pretty sweet) and fruit-driven as it is delicate, pure and very elegant. The mousse is deliciously fine and leads this charming and perfectly balanced fizz to a long, aromatic, stunningly dry and slightly mineral, impressively long finish. This is extremely well done Champagne from equal parts of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay sourced in 30 different crus. This Rserve includes 25% of reserve wines and was dosed with nine grams per liter."

"Not only was Pol Roger Winston Churchill's favorite, it's the perfect combination of rich, nutty taste and crisp acidity".

"Kumquat, melon and anise notes are layered with toast, smoke and golden raisin flavors in this firm, minerally Champagne, complemented by a fine, creamy mousse."

" Pale yellow. Toasty melon and white peach on the nose, with orange zest and dusty minerals emerging with air. Lively, mineral-laced citrus and orchard fruit flavors show good palate-coating intensity without any excess weight. The clinging finish displays a subtle floral quality and repeating orange and melon notes."

"Strong boned, with lively acidity from the get go. Mouthcoating, serious; softish feel backed by intensity. Yellow fruit, with a fresh herb/peach pit tang."

"The $40-$50 range is an interesting (read: annoying) one for Champagne. Some are major hits, but many are huge misses. For a solid bet, look to the Pol Roger Brut. This top-notch Champagne is mostly Chardonnay and has a clean, fresh style with a delicate acidity thats a guaranteed crowd-pleaser."

"Full and ripe, this offers balance between rich white fruits and a smooth texture that is cut with acidity. The wine is in great harmony with itself, ready to drink while also allowing the possibility of bottle aging."

"Fresh and open-knit, this chalky Champagne offers lively notes of green apple and crunch white peach fruit, spring blossom, biscuit and candied lemon zest. Drink now through 2018."

"In its role as a wine, Champagne is remarkably versatile, wonderful with an astonishingly wide array of foods. It can be great with sushi and seafood in many guises. But it’s also terrific with foods that might be considered too déclassé, like popcorn, fried chicken and even pizza."

"Like still wines, Champagne can range from light-bodied and delicate to full bodied and rich, and from bone dry to quite sweet, but a good balance of fruit and acidity is the mark of a fine choice. Typically, smaller bubbles are sought after in sparkling wines (read: the smaller the better). Tiny bubbles will result in a softer, more elegant drinking experience. The medium bodied Pol Roger Brut Reserve “White Foil” ($50, available at liquor stores) has crisp apple flavors and a lush, satisfying finish."

"Very fresh, crisp and refreshing. Medium bodied with tiny, delicate bubbles and a long, dry finish. I'm serving this at my Christmas party."

"In a class by itself when it comes to non-vintage Champagnes. Contains older wines than most, which accounts for its aristocratic poise and elegance."

"If you want to get all royal about it, William and Kate served Pol Roger NV Brut Réserve ($50) at their wedding (it's one of six Champagnes that have a Royal Warrant). Wonder if they'll pop some more when the royal tyke arrives!"

"Complex on the nose with layers of blanched and raw nuts, white mushroom, grass, pineapple, lime and almond nougat with a hint of flintiness. A little sweet one entry, this is rich and creamy with a lovely lushness to it and early apricot fruit. The acidity pops on the back end, bringing the pineapple and lemon fruit flavors to the fore. The finish is subtle and long, spicy with a tangy minerality. I like this very much."

"Pol Roger is everything I look for in a bottle of non-vintage fizz. It’s light and fresh while still offering real substance. There are pretty floral elements, and it’s not so acidicly dry that it makes your mouth pucker, as do many NV champagnes.
In fact, it is the perfect aperitif champagne, and worked especially well with the canapés of smoked salmon, sour cream and caviar. A great way to kick of a party!"

"Light, bright gold. Displays aromas and flavors of orange, pear skin. honey and brioche, with a spicy overtone. Sappy and expansive, with excellent finishing power and lingering floral and smoke notes."

"Is it really a proper celebration without Champagne? This is the season to enjoy really beautiful bubbly and Pol Roger is one of my favorites. Founded in 1849, Pol Roger is one of only a few Grande Marque Champagne houses that remains family owned and operated. Subtle notes of citrus with hints of pear and a mellow minerality make this a perfect pairing with caviar. A truly elegant Champagne, Pol Roger was a favorite of Winston Churchill's and was served at the Royal Wedding of Kate and Will."

"This tête-de-cuvée Champagne is luscious and intense, with dried-apricot, brioche and honey notes."

"Pol Roger is one of the few that remains family-owned. Its brut reserve is a classic: fine, creamy bubbles, bracing acidity and a richness that comes from a high percentage of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in the blend."

"This is, not surprisingly, actually quite similar to the Pure but with just a bit more complexity and a hair more toastiness. This is also intensely effervescent with a mouth feel that is exceptionally vibrant before culminating in clean, cool, persistent and impressively refreshing finish. This is a pleasure to drink and it could be enjoyed now or held for additional development though I like the energy if offers now. A fine value."

"A powerful, ornate non vintage brut, this has bold scents of chardonnay and limestone in the aroma, layered with complex red fruit ghosting on the palate. It's fat in the middle, then retracts in the finish to a finer line. A main course Champagne to serve with rich poultry dishes, like chicken confit."

"This small Champagne producer, still privately held, was championed by the great Sir Winston Churchill. The Chardonnay-dominant Brut Nonvintage bottling is a perennial good value: medium-bodied, elegant and possessed of great finesse."

"It is often said that the true quality of a Champagne house is best judged by the consistency and quality of their non-vintage wine and Pol Roger's Brut Reserve captures their house style brilliantly. Pol Roger Brut Reserve is traditionally a blend of equal parts Pinot Noir (body and depth), Pinot Meunier (freshness and vigorous fruit) and Chardonnay (elegance and finesse). Subtle notes of citrus with hints of pear and a mellow minerality make this a perfect pairing with caviar and raw oysters."

"Floral and fresh nose, with rose petal, orange zest, toasty yeast and ripe pear aromas. Creamy mouthfill, with flavors of Meyer lemon, stone fruit, and floral notes, over subtle caramel and toasty lees. Great as a party starter and with most foods. Oyster Rockefeller."

"Distinct pale gold with a very fine bead on the pour. Upon sipping, a distinct nutty sharp cheese blasts through the effervescence as it zings the palate. Limey peach with light melon undertones…dry, fruity, and complex on the finish. Great with desserts and light unspiced hors d’oeuvres."

"Absolutely delicious. Pale gold in color, it is a balanced composition of fruit and citrus notes with bready aromas of brioche."

"The Epernay based Pol Roger is another small, family-owned Champagne house that also happens to own a significant amount of its own vineyards and produces wines of consistently high quality. It's non vintage offering, made from a high proportion of Pinot Noir is a blend of dozens of wines from several vintages and regions. It's a medium-bodied, creamy wine with a wonderfully rich texture."

"Light yellow-gold. Aromas of candied citrus fruits, ripe pear, toasty lees and minerals, with a hint of musky herbs in the background. Powerful, palate-staining orchard fruit and citrus flavors show a refreshing bitterness and are underscored by chalky minerals. Closes nervy and dry, with excellent clarity and smoky persistence."

"Pol Roger Brut NV should come out of the wine fridge when company is coming over. It's the most well-rounded bubbly, akin to a navy suit or a little black dress, and it makes correctness seem sexy (which would explain why it was served at William and Kate's royal wedding reception)."

"Rich notes of pear pastry, toasted almond, smoke and honey are well-meshed with and balanced by fresh notes of lemon peel, quince and grated ginger, all knit with the finely tuned acidity and creamy mousse."

"Persistent bubbles and rich, nutty bread dough aroma; great depth of flavor, rich yet ephemeral with the slightest hint of caramel toffee on the finish. Aristocratic"

"With its extra touch of richness and a feeling of maturity, this remains a benchmark nonvintage Champagne. It has flavors of ripe white fruits, balancing acidity with just a touch of final softness."

"For everyday drinking, and for the perfect aperitif, it’s hard to beat the nonvintage Pol Roger, which is also a very good value."

"Classy Champagne with fine beads and delicate mousse. Intense Colour, aromas and flavours of crystallised fruit, rich butterscotch and savoury tart. Long and pleasant finish."

"Very pale gold color with tiny bubbles. Light toast, baked apples, and mandarin oranges waft up from the glass. On the palate, it opens with soft yeasty bread and apple flavors, adding sweet oranges and almonds on the mid-palate. The mousse is very active, mouth-filling, the acids bright. It is a pretty wine. Drink it with stone crabs."

"Aromas of croissants, flavors of lemon meringue, dry, crisp and light."

"Aromas of croissants, flavors of lemon meringue, dry, crisp and light."

"First up is the Pol Roger Brut Reserve “White Foil” (NV). This wine is a blend of equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. All the fruit was sourced in sub appellations of the Champagne region. After crushing the grapes are fermented separately at cool temperature. When the final blends are assembled at least 2 vintages are represented and the wine ages a minimum of 3 years prior to release. This offering has a suggested retail price of $55. A host of aromas leap from the nose of this Non Vintage Brut; candied ginger, clover honey, almond, hazelnut, citrus and a hint of yeast are the most prominent. The full flavored palate is loaded with character and flavors such as lemongrass, hints of peach and a nice wallop of spices. The finish is crisp, layered and gentle with light yeast notes and continued spice that lingers persistently. This is a terrific example of NV Brut that blows away its price point by a fair clip."

"This is a great go-to, basic brut champagne ( brut means dry). Like all real Champagne, it comes from the Champagne region in northern France. It's got a lovely fresh-baked bread/brioche aroma with bright citrus notes."

"Pol Roger’s NV Brut Extra Cuvée de Reserve is a bit compact in this version, but nevertheless shows excellent length. The wine blossoms on the palate, gaining volume, depth and fragrance on the finish. Interestingly, the Cuvée de Reserve comes across as more vibrant than the Brut Nature, which I would not have expected."

"There are a number of equally famous non-vintage Champagnes on the market but Pol Roger has a dryness and finesse I find particularly suited to grand feasts such as Christmas."

"Pol Roger is not a small Champagne house, and yet the wines always seem carefully crafted, complex and classy. Moreover, they always seem to combine richness and depth of flavor with an uncanny delicacy and freshness. Perhaps most impressive of all is the fact that these characteristics are consistently present even in this, the house’s entry-level wine. The current non-vintage batch in the USA is terrific."

"A mix of floral, apple and berry aromas and flavors highlight this firmly structured, elegant bubbly which is harmonious and vibrant, with a lingering finish."

"People don't want to believe me when I say I pair fine Champagne with takeout food. Why not?

Champagne & fresh fried chicken is a fantastic combination. Bubbly & sushi is my favorite wine & food pairing ever. So it made perfect sense to me when I recently paired this Pol Roger Brut Reserve White Foil with takeout from P.F. Changs. Some noodles & lemongrass flavored prawns made for a lovely combination with this Champagnes creamy but dry, toasty flavors. It was so good I finished the leftovers two days later!

Dont save Champagne for special events - every day were alive is a special event! So drink more Champagne. I know I am. Cheers!"

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“Classic sparkler that pairs creamy texture with elegant style. Always one of my top pick bubblies.”

“Pale straw-yellow hue with a very fine mousse. Pretty bouquet of crisp apple, white flowers, white peach and a touch of minerality. Yeasty brioche notes emerge on the palate along with yellow stone fruit and appealing red fruit flavors. Luscious in the finish without losing its elegance.”

“Light, elegant texture with clean, crisp citrus flavors.”

“This is a fantastic non vintage Champagne, with lovely weight and texture. Lime peel notes mingle with lifted, floral notes nuances, underscored by yeasty, bready notes on the finish.”

“A full-bodied winner from one of Champagne’s traditional houses.”

“Delicate but with drive, this is a miasma of flowers, red fruit and lime. Lovely weight and texture, precise balance and a rich but fresh feel.”

“Always on the gift-giving list. Perhaps the best value in non-vintage Champagne. Mouth-filling, frothy, elegant and fine.”

“Fresh and juicy with minerals, bright apple, tangy acidity and a delightful mouth feel; elegant and bracing with lots of charm.”

“This sparkling wine is great for people you know well and people you’ve never met before. It a universal gesture of celebration.”

“Bright white chalk and yellow fruit scents contrast darker tones of root vegetables and earth. This is clean and dry, with minerality that lasts. The acidity makes it a refreshing match for tempura.”

“Pol Roger’s standard nonvintage cuvee is a rich wine, full in the mouth with a high proportion of Pinots and a creamy mousee. There is a depth of flavor thanks to the considerable use of mature reserved wines in the blend. It finishes with weight combining with final acidity.”

“A medium-weight bubbly, with good richness as a foil for the apple, bread dough and honey notes. A citrus note emerges on the finish.”

“There is better depth here compared to either the Rich or the Pure cuvées with most emphasis on yeast nuances along with floral, citrus and pear that complement the round, delicious and layered flavors."

“Good, full of character and finesse. Has a touch of class.”

“One of the last major Champagne houses that’s still family-owned, Pol Roger produces good wines at every level, from its famed Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill to this basic bottling. It’s exactly what brut (i.e. dry) Champagne should be: vividly crisp yet creamy, with complex fruit flavors and a tantalizing toasty aroma.”

“The Brut Réserve is probably one of the best values in high quality champagne on the market. It is composed of a blend of almost equal amounts of the three grape varieties used in the production of champagne, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. It is elegant, and refined, yet has lots of fruit and excitement on the palate. There are other champagnes that you might see in more stores and restaurants, but dollar for dollar, they don’t approach the level of quality of the Pol Roger Brut Réserve. Go and buy a couple of bottles, but give at least one to Dad.”

“The NV Brut Extra Cuvée de Reserve is a pleasing mid-weight effort. The wine shows attractive floral aromas and focused fruit, with excellent poise and balance. The Brut Extra Cuvée de Reserve is equal parts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.”

“A real crowd-pleaser, easy and relaxed, with ribbons of languid bubbles and excellent fruit. “It doesn’t have too much of anything.” Dottie said. “It walks the line perfectly.” Buy more than you think you need.”

“Pale gold hue. Fresh baguette aromas with notes of red fruit and beer. Rich, sweet flavors of white peach, red apple and cinnamon. Ripe finish with caramel and peach laced with flinty, mineral notes.”

“This is the real thing, from the Champagne region of France. It's classic dry Champagne from one of the most famous houses. What you find here, in contrast to the others, is a bit more complexity and more elegance. In addition to pear and lime notes, there's a typical bready-toasty quality and bright acidity that all combine in a refined, irresistible package. It's made from one-third chardonnay, one-third pinot noir and one-third pinot meunier.”

“Another excellent option is the Pol Roger Brut Extra Cuvée de Réserve, which tastes literally like a liquefied green apple (that's a compliment). It is a mellow, caressing champagne that begs to be drunk by a fireplace.”

“Ripe toasted brioche aromas. Palate follows through from aromas. Rich, ripe, toasty. Weighty fruit. Up to 2 years.”

“Champagne is my desert island wine. Always a marvelous aperitif, champagne is also the most underrated of all food wines—perfectly attuned to seafood, from oysters and clams to lobster and smoked salmon. And the holidays are champagne’s biggest season. At the level of really good non-vintage (NV) brut, the choices are limited—a lot is overpriced. Look for the always impeccable Pol Roger... Prices range from $30 to $50.”

“Ripe aromas of pecan pie, honey and caramel. Rich and promising with taffy apple, brown spice and charred oak. Lasting finish with a fruit cake-like sweetness laced with a nutty, aged nuance.”

“This has mouthwatering flavors of white melon and daikon. It’s a bit reduced at first, with racy acidity for sashimi.”

“Some Champagnes are a bit bigger, and those medium-bodied wines I can recommend are.. Pol Roger (seductive and rich)...”

“..The tasting was interesting. The first day I tried about 15 wines, using a bottle of Pol Roger Extra Cuvée de Reserve Brut as a benchmark. This is a superb mid-priced ($40) Champagne that I have drunk over the years. Pol Roger was said to be the favorite wine marque of Winston Churchill, although I could never understand how he could taste the wine with those cigars in his mouth...”

“..Still yearning for the real thing? There’s plenty of good Champagne still out there, even as the big night draws near. Some familiar favorites, all nonvintage: Pol Roger...”

“Bubblies are born around the world, but nothing can match the authority, the augustness, the gravitas of real champagne from France's Champagne region, that hallowed, chilly, 225 square miles that is 100 miles northeast of Paris. Luckily for us, they turn out 300 million bottles a year. Unluckily for us, demand is so great that it still can be costly. But the good stuff, even if it's only one bottle a year, is great for toasting the New Year. Here are some of the best champagnes I've tasted this year: Highly Recommended Pol Roger Brut Non-Vintage Aromas of toast, nuts, minerals; concentrated candied lemon-peel flavor; frothy.”

“When the Germans occupied Epernay in September 1914, the police and municipal authorities fled, leaving only the mayor—Maurice Pol-Roger—to face the invaders. He withstood threats to shoot him and burn the town to the ground, earning him the eternal gratitude from his people. When Paris was retaken by the allies in 1944, Pol Roger—now run by Maurice’s son Jacques—disgorged all its remaining 1914 and served it as a toast to victory at the British embassy, where Winston Churchill met Odette, Jacques’ wife. The rest, as they say, is history. All except for the remaining bottles of 1914, which are still in death-defying form, with an extraordinary richness of fruit and gentle sparkle. If this doesn’t prove that Pol Roger is the house par excellence for vintage Champagne, then try its 1892, the only 19th-century Champagne I’ve tried that still has good fizz, real fruit and no sherry character. USP affecting style and quality: Although White Foil contains great growths such as Chouilly, Oiry, Bouzy, Ambonnay, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Mesnil-sur-Oger, its style on release is heavily dependent on the 33% Meunier, and its potential longevity is increased by Pol Roger’s cellars, which, at 9.5°C, are up to 1.5°C colder than most other cellars in Champagne. What it tastes like: Fresh, floral and elegant on release, when the Meunier dominates, White Foil deepens and develops dried fruit complexity after two years when the Pinot Noir takes over.”

“Impressive, full-bodied; can be enjoyed now or cellared for one or two years.”

“New Year’s Eve is coming and you’d like to bring a bubbly of real French Champagne—but not the same old Moët or Veuve. Your least expensive option is another brand of nonvintage (a blend of grapes from different years) brut (on the dry side)—the most common variety around. We tasted champagnes from three other prominent houses and found extraordinary differences. ‘Critics’ Pick’ Pol Roger Non-Vintage Brut Color: Golden yellow, strawlike. Bubbles: Tiny, steady, slow-moving. Taste: Tasters mentioned a funky, yeasty/toasty nose and a tart, limelike flavor that was slightly acidic.”

“Every year at this time I am importuned by friends about which champagne to buy. This activates my humbug gene turning holiday cheer into holiday jeer...If You Like Versace… Then you’ll love the in-your-palate flamboyance of such French Champagnes as… Pol Roger (lush, full-bodied and frankly pleasurable).”

“Light gold. Deep, rich, orange and apricot aromas lifted by flowers and mint. Round, fleshy and soft, with gentle orange and peach flavors and a broad, ripe finish. For fans of rich, full-bodied Champagne.”

“Intense, very yeasty aromas of lime peel, apricot, nuts, bread and honey. Frothy flavors of raspberry, lemon pie and flint are delivered with enviable verve. Fruit and smoke in the long close.”

“Red berry nose – touch of yeast. Very fruity, red berry, simple but attractive, flavoursome. Drink now.”

"Some attractive citrus fruit. Citrus-filled aperitif style with a creamy texture and some depth."

"Pol Roger Brut Extra Cuvée de Reserve nonvintage is a bargain at $30; finesse is the word here, with deep biscuit and fruit flavors." - Sonia Turek

“Yeast and buttery biscuit aromas in a refined and balanced frame with crisp acidity, a fine mousse, and flavors of ripe pear, honey, lemon curd and meringue.”

"Everyone at the party would love this. Perfectly balanced and very clean. Not showy, just relaxed and complete. A wine to pour all night." - Dorothy J. Gaiter & John Brecher

“Elegant, focused, penetrating, highly intricate, pear, citrus, cream and toasted nut flavors.”

“Four Stars. Extra lees ageing before release has helped rich, ripe, yeasty aromas develop.”

"Deeper and richer than most. Complex, sophisticated, old-world style sure to please visiting Brits." - Alan Richman

"Medium gold color, with a lively, energetic mousse. Toasty, leesy and loaded with orchard fruits on the nose, which also shows a waxy lanolin note reminiscent of Vouvray. Full and rich in the mouth, with flavors of buttered toast and ripe apple that are nicely supported by solid, harmonious acidity. Broad through the finish and long, with a late note of sweet pear."

“One of the great nonvintage Champagnes, this is a wine with considerable bottle age, full of toasty flavors. With its gooseberry and apple fruit flavors, it is still fresh, but its great character comes from its supreme elegance.” - Roger Voss

"A lively Champagne, rich and supple, showing citrus, ginger and biscuit flavors. It's well-integrated, picking up a floral note on the finish." - Bruce Sanderson

“More red grapes than white give this wine its deep flavors and delicate, red-fruited pinot noir scent. The dosage adds richness but doesn’t make it sweet. A firm and savory Brut.”

“Very interesting, with the Chardonnay component much in evidence. Neat, intriguing, very well balanced. Indisputably a fine wine with lovely texture and real complexity. Widely liked.” - Jancis Robinson

"For a few dollars more, you can’t go wrong with three old classics: We were equally impressed with the Pol Roger brut (Frederick Wildman & Sons, $32), the Deutz brut Classic (Maisons Marques & Domaines , $32) and the Gosset Excellence brut (Palm Bay Imports, $35), all wines with storied histories and impeccable style. Pol Roger is more bright and floral, with a delicate toasted note and a zesty freshness."

Recommended for "Unexpected guests or a gift for the host."

"A soft and attractively powerful three-way blend. Extra lees ageing before release (it's based on the fine 2000 harvest) have helped rich, yeasty aromas develop."

"Fresh baked bread aromas, a bit of green apple, great acidity."

"Pol Roger Brut uses a secret blending process for its fresh apple scent. Try with shrimp cocktail."

"Medium gold hue with a foamy mouse and ribbons of impossibly fine bubbles. Buttery, toasty aromas of lemon curd, apple, malt and freshly baked bread. Rich, ripe flavors of apple, grapefruit, flint and vanilla cream. Gingersnap cookie in the close."

One of Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Wines of 2004 "Pol Roger has hit the bull’s eye with this year's release, which boasts smoky, toasty, spicy aromas and rich, mouthfilling flavors of red berries, citrus and minerals. Creamy and mouthfilling, with a long, luscious finish." -- Joe Czerwinski

"For those who share the British admiration for Champagne that's relatively dry with a high percentage of reserve wines. Winston Churchill's favorite, this elegant, medium-rich nonvintage brut comes from one of a handful of grand marquee houses still in family hands."-- Richard Nalley

"A mélange of toast, graphite, citrus and ginger aromas and flavors mark this dryish, balanced Champange. Good intensity and length, underscored by a lively structure." -- Bruce Sanderson

"Rich, with gorgeous flavors!" -- Michael Franz

“I’d love to get these. Consider them for a special gift this holiday season.” -- Arturo Ciompi

"It takes a formidable performance by a great Champagne house to unseat my usual favorite nonvintage brut, Bollinger, but Pol Roger has done it this season. I can't say I'm totally surprised. The paralells between Bollinger and Pol Roger are striking. Like Bollinger, the house of Pol Roger is small, family owned and operated and extremely quality conscious. The quintessential Englishman's Champagnes, the sparkling wines of both houses were favorites of Sir Winston Churchill, and, indeed, Pol Roger's top Cuvée is named after the great man himself ... This season, Pol Roger nonvintage brut maintains all of its usual virtues but seems to have taken on an extra richness. Another great thing about Pol Roger is that, perhaps more than any other nonvintage brut, it improves with a year or two of cellaring. Given the quality, you may want to double up on Pol Roger to have enough to drink next New Year or to enjoy throughout 2004." -- Ben Giliberti

"Excellent. Lemon-lime, apple, red berry nose with a touch of toast; lush entry with flavors of hazelnut, Granny Smith apple, anise; good acidity with mineral and grapefruit finish."

"This season, Pol Roger nonvintage brut maintains all of its usual virtues but seems to have taken on an extra richness. Another great thing about Pol Roger is that, perhaps more than any other nonvintage brut, it improves with a year or two of cellaring. Given the quality, you may want to double up on Pol Roger to have enough to drink next New Year or to enjoy throughout 2004." -- Ben Giliberti

"Luscious fruit and complex flavors play through this nonvintage brut."

A medium-bodied, vinous Champagne, showing good structure, though the biscuit, grain and honey flavors need a little time to open. Has good density and length, so be patient. Drink now through 2006. -- Bruce Sanderson

Awarded a SILVER MEDAL at the 2003 Spring Fest Wine Festival at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Pol Roger Brut Non-Vintage is elegant and uplifting, mixing finesse from the chardonnay, depth from the pinot noir and an essence of flowers from the pinot meunier grape.

The dry, roasted scents grow bold and broad across the palate. Then it finishes with elegance and refinement, with a grip and lasting savor for food. A terrific non-vintage brut, for blini with creme fraiche and caviar.

Apple and toffee on the nose; hints of older juice. Frothy and juicy but on the lean side, with a suggestion of sour apple. Shows a faint dry edge of apple skin and some underlying minerality. Boasts sound acidity and a firm finish...

Serena Sutcliffe's Top Champagnes for Christmas Known affectionately as White Foil. There is nothing like it. This three-way split between Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay is floral, fruity and giving, very more-ish.

Attractive nose of delicate flowers and brioche. Balanced on the palate with elegant fruit, creamy finish with great depth, very stylish.

Excellent quality. This is a medium+ bodied, moderately complex Brut, with good balance and length. Tastes of roasted nut, citrus fruit, toast, pineapple, and apple. [2002-2003]

Family patriarch and fourth-generation Champagne producer Christian Pol-Roger has turned otu a well-made, medium-bodied nonvintage wine.

A beautiful wine, with fine mousse and a pale straw color. Smoky, biscuity aromas are follwed by a wonderfully structured, elegant palate, with ripe fruit alongside freshness and a fine, mature richness.

2001 BRONZE MEDAL WINNER 6th Annual Oyster Riot

Brisk, pure aromas of lime, orange creamsicle, toast and stone. Ripe and frothy, with a smooth middle and good concentration but some acidity showing around the edges. The slightly harsh note repeats on the back end. This new release needs another year or so to come into harmony. 88 points

A Bronze Medal was awarded to Pol Roger Brut Non-Vintage in The Dallas Morning News 2001 Wine Competition.

Lovely, framing its baking bread, honey and ctirus flavors with an elegant, focused presentation.

“A dry, citrus and ginger- flavored bubbly, with a firm structure that’s amplified by the dry profile. This remains elegant, and the texture is delicate. Just a tad austere on the finish.”