2016 Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs Gift Box – 95 Points James Suckling

95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING! 94 POINTS WINE SPECTATOR! 100% GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY FROM SIX OF CHAMPAGNE'S GREATEST VILLAGES – THE EXTRAORDINARY 2016 POL ROGER BLANC DE BLANCS FOR JUST $270!

95 Points – JamesSuckling.com | 94 Points – Wine Spectator

2016 Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs Vintage Gift Box – Champagne, France

RRP $270 per bottle – Gift Box Presentation

NOW THIS IS SERIOUSLY MAGNIFICENT CHAMPAGNE!

There are certain Champagnes that immediately get our attention.

And the 2016 Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs is one of them.

From one of Champagne's most celebrated family-owned houses comes an extraordinary vintage Champagne made entirely from Chardonnay.

But not just any Chardonnay.

100% GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY!

From six of the greatest Chardonnay villages in the entire Champagne region.

Avize.

Cramant.

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.

Oger.

Chouilly.

And Oiry.

These are some of the most famous names in the world of great Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

And Pol Roger has brought them together in one magnificent vintage cuvée.

Think fresh grapefruit.

Candied lemon.

Crisp pear.

White flowers.

Fresh croissants.

Toasted brioche.

Delicate almond.

And a beautiful chalky, saline mineral finish.

All wrapped together in a Champagne with extraordinary precision, fine bubbles, creamy texture and remarkable length.

95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING!

94 POINTS WINE SPECTATOR!

100% CHARDONNAY!

100% GRAND CRU FRUIT!

SIX LEGENDARY CÔTE DES BLANCS VILLAGES!

APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS OF CELLAR MATURATION!

BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED IN A GIFT BOX!

JUST $270 A BOTTLE!

This is serious vintage Champagne.

And exactly the sort of extraordinary wine we love bringing to Liquid Vibe customers.

Pol Roger – One of Champagne's Great Family-Owned Houses Since 1849

The story of Pol Roger began in 1849.

More than 175 years later, the house remains one of Champagne's most respected independent family-owned producers.

Based in Épernay, Pol Roger has built an extraordinary reputation for elegance, precision and consistency.

Its Champagnes are celebrated for their beautiful balance.

Their exceptionally fine mousse.

Their purity of fruit.

And their remarkable ability to age gracefully.

Pol Roger is also renowned for its meticulous approach to winemaking.

Careful vineyard selection.

Separate fermentation of individual crus.

Patient maturation.

And traditional hand riddling.

These are not shortcuts.

They are the practices of a Champagne house that has spent generations refining its craft.

Pol Roger is one of the great names in Champagne – and its Blanc de Blancs is one of the most beautiful expressions of its winemaking philosophy.

The Legendary Connection with Sir Winston Churchill

Few Champagne houses have a history quite like Pol Roger.

One of its most famous admirers was Sir Winston Churchill.

Churchill developed a remarkable affection for the house's Champagnes.

His friendship with the Pol Roger family became one of the most celebrated relationships in Champagne history.

The connection was so important that the house eventually created its prestigious Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill in his honour.

Today, that Champagne is one of the world's great prestige cuvées.

But Pol Roger's commitment to exceptional fruit, meticulous winemaking and extended maturation runs throughout its vintage Champagne range.

And the 2016 Blanc de Blancs demonstrates that commitment magnificently.

Blanc de Blancs – The Purest Expression of Chardonnay

One of the most important things about this wine is its grape variety.

100% CHARDONNAY!

Blanc de Blancs literally means white wine made from white grapes.

In Champagne, the term is most famously associated with Chardonnay.

And Chardonnay is responsible for some of the most elegant, mineral-driven and age-worthy Champagnes in the world.

It brings extraordinary finesse.

Citrus precision.

Beautiful floral aromas.

And a wonderful chalky mineral character.

But what makes great Chardonnay Champagne particularly exciting is its ability to develop complexity over time.

Fresh citrus evolves into toasted brioche.

Delicate flowers become more layered.

And the palate develops additional richness without losing freshness.

Great Blanc de Blancs Champagne is all about precision, elegance and extraordinary length.

And Pol Roger's 2016 is a magnificent example.

Six Grand Cru Villages – The Very Best of the Côte des Blancs

Now here's the detail that makes this Champagne particularly special.

ALL THE FRUIT COMES FROM GRAND CRU VINEYARDS!

And not from just one village.

From six of the most celebrated Chardonnay villages in Champagne.

AVIZE GRAND CRU

Renowned for Chardonnay with remarkable mineral precision, structure and ageing potential.

CRAMANT GRAND CRU

Celebrated for elegance, finesse and beautifully textured Chardonnay.

LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER GRAND CRU

One of Champagne's most famous Chardonnay villages, producing wines known for extraordinary tension, chalky minerality and longevity.

OGER GRAND CRU

Often associated with generous, expressive Chardonnay and beautiful fruit depth.

CHOUILLY GRAND CRU

Renowned for Chardonnay with attractive fruit, roundness and elegance.

OIRY GRAND CRU

An important source of refined Chardonnay with freshness and mineral character.

By bringing together these six villages, Pol Roger creates a Champagne with remarkable complexity.

Different terroirs contribute different elements.

Concentration.

Freshness.

Structure.

Texture.

And mineral precision.

SIX GRAND CRU VILLAGES. 100% CHARDONNAY. ONE MAGNIFICENT CHAMPAGNE.

The 2016 Vintage – Freshness, Structure and Extraordinary Precision

The 2016 growing season in Champagne was challenging.

The early part of the year brought difficult weather conditions.

But the later season improved significantly.

And the successful vineyards produced fruit with beautiful ripeness, concentration and freshness.

For Chardonnay, the best wines have a particularly appealing combination of precision and texture.

And Pol Roger's 2016 Blanc de Blancs captures those characteristics beautifully.

There is wonderful citrus energy.

Beautiful orchard-fruit concentration.

And the chalky mineral character that makes the Côte des Blancs so special.

A vintage Champagne with the structure to age and the elegance to enjoy now.

Meticulous Winemaking – Crafted in the Deep Cellars of Épernay

Pol Roger takes an extraordinarily careful approach to producing its Blanc de Blancs.

The Chardonnay grapes are gently pressed after harvest.

The juice undergoes two separate settling stages.

The first takes place at the press house.

The second is a cold settling in stainless-steel tanks.

This helps achieve beautifully clean, precise juice.

Fermentation then takes place slowly at cool temperatures.

Each Grand Cru is vinified separately.

This is an important detail.

It allows the winemaking team to preserve the individual character of each village before creating the final blend.

The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation.

Then, following blending, it is bottled for its second fermentation.

TRADITIONAL BOTTLE FERMENTATION!

The same fundamental technique used for all great Champagne.

And then comes the patience.

Six Years of Cellar Maturation – The Secret to the Complexity

One of the most impressive things about the 2016 Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs is its maturation.

APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS IN THE CELLARS BEFORE RELEASE!

Pol Roger's cellars lie an extraordinary 33 metres beneath the streets of Épernay.

These deep, cool conditions provide an ideal environment for slow Champagne maturation.

Over the years, the wine develops remarkable complexity.

Fresh citrus becomes beautifully integrated.

The mousse becomes finer.

And the wine develops those wonderful savoury characters associated with great mature Champagne.

Fresh croissants.

Toasted brioche.

Almond pastry.

And delicate nutty complexity.

But perhaps the most impressive characteristic is the freshness.

Even after years of maturation, the wine remains wonderfully vibrant.

SIX YEARS OF PATIENT MATURATION – AND THE RESULT IS EXTRAORDINARY.

Hand Riddling – A Remarkable Champagne Tradition

Pol Roger is particularly renowned for its commitment to traditional hand riddling.

This is a meticulous process used to gradually move the yeast sediment towards the neck of the bottle before disgorgement.

It requires experience.

Precision.

And considerable patience.

While many Champagne producers rely on mechanical riddling systems, Pol Roger continues to employ this traditional technique for its vintage Champagnes.

It is another example of the extraordinary attention to detail behind the wine.

A Champagne made with genuine craftsmanship from vineyard to bottle.

95 Points – James Suckling

95 POINTS – JAMESSUCKLING.COM!

An outstanding endorsement of this magnificent Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs.

James Suckling's assessment highlights the wine's exceptional freshness and beautiful texture.

Grapefruit.

Candied lemon.

Fresh pear.

And croissant-like pastry notes.

The palate combines lively acidity with silky texture.

And the finish is beautifully focused.

95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING!

A magnificent score.

94 Points – Wine Spectator

Another excellent endorsement.

A wonderful recognition of this exceptional Champagne.

That's an impressive collection of endorsements from some of the world's most respected wine publications.

And it demonstrates the quality and consistency of this magnificent vintage Champagne.

Grapefruit, White Flowers, Fresh Croissants and Chalky Minerality

Now this is where the 2016 Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs really comes into its own.

In the glass, it displays a beautiful pale-gold colour with delicate silvery highlights.

The bubbles are exceptionally fine and persistent.

And the aromas are immediately captivating.

Fresh grapefruit.

Candied lemon.

Crisp pear.

And delicate white flowers.

Then come the more complex characters.

Yellow cherry.

Toasted brioche.

Fresh croissants.

Roasted almond.

And subtle cocoa butter.

There is also a fascinating mineral dimension.

Chalk.

Flint.

And a delicate saline character.

On the palate, the wine is beautifully structured.

The Chardonnay provides extraordinary freshness and precision.

The extended cellar maturation contributes richness and texture.

And the Grand Cru fruit provides remarkable concentration.

The mousse is fine and creamy.

The acidity is vibrant.

And the finish is wonderfully long and mineral.

Fresh citrus, creamy pastry complexity and a magnificent chalky, saline finish.

This is exactly what great Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs should be.

A Magnificent Champagne for Drinking or Cellaring

One of the great attractions of the 2016 Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs is its ageing potential.

It is already a beautiful Champagne to drink.

The fruit is expressive.

The mousse is beautifully refined.

And the wine has developed wonderful complexity through extended maturation.

But it also possesses the structure and freshness needed for further ageing.

With careful cellaring, the wine can develop additional layers of toasted nuts, honey, brioche and savoury complexity.

Wine Spectator suggests a drinking window extending to 2040.

A magnificent Champagne to enjoy now or cellar for the years ahead.

Beautifully Presented in a Gift Box

And here's another wonderful detail.

THIS WINE COMES PRESENTED IN A GIFT BOX!

That makes it an exceptional choice for a special occasion.

Birthdays.

Anniversaries.

Weddings.

Corporate gifts.

Christmas.

Or simply a magnificent present for someone who appreciates great Champagne.

The combination of a legendary producer, Grand Cru Chardonnay, an exceptional vintage and beautiful presentation makes this a particularly impressive gift.

A truly special Champagne for a truly special occasion.

Absolutely Magnificent with Food

The combination of Chardonnay freshness, Grand Cru concentration and extended maturation makes the 2016 Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs an exceptional food wine.

Freshly Shucked Oysters

A magnificent pairing with the wine's chalky mineral freshness.

Pan-Seared Scallops

Beautiful with browned butter and lemon.

Lobster with Lemon Butter

An exceptional match for the Champagne's richness and complexity.

Kingfish Crudo

The citrus precision complements delicate raw fish.

Grilled Turbot

A wonderful pairing with this elegant, mineral-driven Champagne.

Roast Chicken

The brioche and toasted-almond characters work beautifully with roast chicken.

Mushroom Tartlets

A delicious match for earthy mushrooms and pastry.

Aged Comté

The Champagne's nutty complexity works beautifully with aged cheese.

And of course, this is a magnificent Champagne to enjoy on its own.

Serve it in a proper white-wine glass.

Allow the aromas to develop.

And enjoy the extraordinary complexity.

Why We Love This Wine at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we're constantly searching for wines that offer exceptional pedigree, genuine quality and outstanding drinking pleasure.

And the 2016 Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs is exactly the sort of Champagne we love recommending.

First, there is the producer.

POL ROGER – ONE OF CHAMPAGNE'S GREAT FAMILY-OWNED HOUSES SINCE 1849.

Then there is the grape variety.

100% CHARDONNAY!

Then there are the vineyards.

SIX GRAND CRU VILLAGES IN THE CÔTE DES BLANCS!

Then there is the winemaking.

TRADITIONAL BOTTLE FERMENTATION AND HAND RIDDLING.

Then there is the maturation.

APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS IN CELLARS 33 METRES UNDERGROUND.

Then come the critic scores.

95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING.

94 POINTS WINE SPECTATOR.

Then there is the presentation.

BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED IN A GIFT BOX.

And finally, there is the price.

JUST $270 A BOTTLE!

This is serious vintage Champagne.

Elegant.

Mineral.

Wonderfully textured.

And full of character.

95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING. 94 POINTS WINE SPECTATOR. 100% GRAND CRU CHARDONNAY. SIX LEGENDARY VILLAGES. JUST $270.

2016 Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs Gift Box – a magnificent expression of one of Champagne's greatest Chardonnay terroirs and an extraordinary addition to the Liquid Vibe range.

Wine Details

• Producer: Pol Roger

• Wine: Blanc de Blancs Vintage Gift Box

• Vintage: 2016

• Region: Champagne, France

• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

• Classification: 100% Grand Cru

• Vineyards: Oiry, Chouilly, Cramant, Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger

• Production: Traditional-method bottle fermentation

• Fermentation: Stainless steel, cool fermentation, full malolactic fermentation

• Cellars: 33 metres beneath Épernay

• Riddling: Traditionally riddled by hand

• Cellar Ageing: Approximately six years before release

• Disgorgement: 2024 for a documented release; may vary by bottle

• Dosage: Approximately 7 g/L for a documented release

• Alcohol: 12.5%

• Style: Vintage Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

• Aromas: Grapefruit, lemon zest, pear, white flowers, brioche and almond

• Palate: Fresh, silky and mineral, with fine bubbles and a long saline finish

• Critic Scores: 95 Points – JamesSuckling.com; 94 Points – Wine Spectator

• Presentation: Gift box

• RRP: $270 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Oysters, scallops, lobster, kingfish, turbot and aged cheese

• Serving Temperature: 9–11°C

• Drinking: Enjoy now or cellar carefully; Wine Spectator suggests drinking through 2040