PolRogerRose2008

Pol Roger was just nineteen when he founded his estate in 1849. Still a family-run enterprise, fifth generation Hubert de Billy is one of the descendants who manage the House today. With 89-hectares of vineyards supplying half of their grape requirements and illustrious premises containing immaculate facilities including pristinely polished stainless-steel tanks. Today they own 92 hectares of vineyards and its cellars in Epernay, just off the Avenue de Champagne run for 7.5 kms, 34 metres below the ground at a constant 9 Celsius.rrRemarkably, a small team of less than ten complete everything in the cellar by hand and Pol Roger boast four of the region’s remaining fifteen riddlers, who impressively turn over 60,000 bottles a day. Indeed, it is this style and their respect for tradition that initiated Sir Winston Churchill’s lifelong attachment to Pol Roger, who famously insisted: “In defeat I need it, in victory I deserve it.â€?Today, their prestige cuvée is named in honour of the great man.rrPol Roger do not make a non-vintage rosé, preferring to release only in vintage years. Brut Rosé Vintage is produced from some twenty Grand and Premier Crus in the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. In order to obtain its delicate colour and subtle nose, 15% Pinot Noir from selected vineyards in Ambonnay, Bouzy and Cumières is fermented and added to the blend as red wine prior to the second fermentation. Second fermentation takes place in the coolest Pol Roger cellars, thirty-three metres below ground level at temperatures of just 9°C, some 2-3°C cooler than the cellars of other producers. The cooler cellars slow down bottle fermentation, producing a champagne with finer bubbles, a characteristic for which these small production releases of Pol Roger are known for. The final blend is aged for nine years in the cellars before disgorgment and release.rrWeather: After a rainy but mild winter without any prolonged cold spells, spring arrived with some very localised frosts. Cool weather returned in June and the infrequent sunshine prolonged the feeling of freshness. The spring to autumn weather was bright with sunny spells and the long, hot days and cool nights during September gave the grapes excellent acidity during the harvest period. The 2008 vintage is fast emerging as one of the best since the renowned and now-legendary 2002.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | Red Wine: Ambonnay, Bouzy, CumièresrGrape Varieties: 65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay | inc. 15% Red WinerAgeing: 7 years on the leesrDisgorged: October 2014rDosage: 8 g/lrDrink: Now for 3-4 yearsrrTasting Note: A bright pink colour that has a stream of fine bubbles. On the nose aromas of raspberry and redcurrant that continues on the palate bursting with red fruits and hints of citrus. A fine balance and structure persist long through the finish. A vintage that is already showing great promise although still very youthful.