Pol Roger, Brut Reserve, Champagne, France NV

Ripe, elegant and balanced. Hazelnut and peachy charm from a sunny 2009 base. Great in magnums to 2020.

A blend of 30 different wines, including 25% of reserve wines, this Champagne is equal portions of the classic trio of varieties, combining to produce the traditional house style of delicate exuberance. White fruits with floral, honeysuckle notes dominate the palate. A minty freshness marks the elegant, long finish and its appealing fruitiness makes it ideal as an aperitif.

Pol is always a great Champagne to serve to your guests: a classy, balanced expression of the three grape varieties allowed by law. It has plenty of rich apple fruit along with a streak of lemon zest and just a hint of juicy tangerine. The palate is round but fresh, and has a long, steely finish which leaves you wanting another sip.

(From Magnum) Freshness, intensity and spicy complexity into its second life.

One of the great signatures of the region, its calligraphy flowing with elegance, panache and balance, the last reflected in the equal proportions of the three great varieties of Champagne. A flamboyant straw gold lustre, and an immediately seductive nose, encyclopaedic in its indulgence. Nougat, praline, white pepper, spice and nectarine were first to the page for this taster, but there is much more behind that, the sugar discrete yet edifying, the long yeast ageing responsible for a happy and altogether luminous marriage of power and finesse. Consistently excellent.

Richly biscuity on the nose, with steamed rice, fresh pear and citrus blossom complexity. Creamy mousse dissolves into red apple peel, lemon and stone fruits, with a depth of honeyed biscuits. The Reserve NV from Pol Roger is a blend of base wines from at least three vintages. With 6 months of post-disgorgement ageing, the wine is ready to enjoy now.