The Story
Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2016 is an exceptionally elegant, precise, and beautifully textured vintage Champagne crafted exclusively from 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyards across the prestigious Côte des Blancs, including Oiry, Chouilly, Cramant, Avize, Oger, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Displaying a pale gold hue with shimmering green highlights and a steady trail of microscopic bubbles, this expressive sparkling wine opens with a powerful bouquet of lemon zest, fresh green apple, and Asian pear, layered beautifully with rich undertones of warm brioche, hazelnut liqueur, and fresh butter. On the palate, it reveals a full-bodied, vinous structure wrapped in a creamy, velvety mousse. A fleshy core of orchard fruit is enlivened by a vibrant line of natural acidity, seamlessly building depth and tension before tapering into a remarkably long, polished finish anchored by a distinctively chalky, salty mineral edge.
Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with freshly shucked oysters, pan-seared sea scallops, butter-poached lobster tails, or a delicate citrus-dressed crab salad.
95 Points - James Suckling
Very cool and bright, this shows aromas of grapefruit, candied lemons, sliced pears and fresh croissants. It's racy on the palate, with lively acidity and very fresh citrus fruit flavors. Vivid, but also silky in texture. Grand cru chardonnay from Cote des Blancs. Disgorged 2024. Drink now or hold.
96 Points - Wine Enthisiast
Aromatically intense exuding broken seashell, fresh almonds, mint, jasmine and subtle yeasty notes. The palate elegantly delivers salty buttered pastry, light berry and pulverized stone minerality. Stunningly finessed and beautifully balanced, it's a pure expression of elegance.
94 Points - Wine Spectator
Refined and harmonious, yet this offers a vivacious range of pear, quince and white cherry fruit, toast point, candied lemon peel and pickled ginger flavors. Backed by well-meshed, chiseled acidity, this expands nicely on the plush, creamy mousse. Minerally smoke and chalk notes show on the finish. Drink now through 2040.
93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Disgorged in June 2024 with a dosage of seven grams per liter, Pol Roger’s 2016 Brut Blanc de Blancs is a compelling expression of the vintage. It opens with an aromatic profile of crisp pear, lemon zest and freshly baked bread, mingling with notes of early white blossoms and a subtle reductive framing. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, taut and incisive—more tensile and linear than the richer, more rounded 2015 iteration. Bracing acidity drives the wine toward a long, saline finish. This is a quintessential Blanc de Blancs: precise, energetic and poised for graceful evolution, promising to develop further layers and toasty sophistication with age.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Description
Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2016 is an exceptionally elegant, precise, and beautifully textured vintage Champagne crafted exclusively from 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyards across the prestigious Côte des Blancs, including Oiry, Chouilly, Cramant, Avize, Oger, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Displaying a pale gold hue with shimmering green highlights and a steady trail of microscopic bubbles, this expressive sparkling wine opens with a powerful bouquet of lemon zest, fresh green apple, and Asian pear, layered beautifully with rich undertones of warm brioche, hazelnut liqueur, and fresh butter. On the palate, it reveals a full-bodied, vinous structure wrapped in a creamy, velvety mousse. A fleshy core of orchard fruit is enlivened by a vibrant line of natural acidity, seamlessly building depth and tension before tapering into a remarkably long, polished finish anchored by a distinctively chalky, salty mineral edge.
Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with freshly shucked oysters, pan-seared sea scallops, butter-poached lobster tails, or a delicate citrus-dressed crab salad.
95 Points - James Suckling
Very cool and bright, this shows aromas of grapefruit, candied lemons, sliced pears and fresh croissants. It's racy on the palate, with lively acidity and very fresh citrus fruit flavors. Vivid, but also silky in texture. Grand cru chardonnay from Cote des Blancs. Disgorged 2024. Drink now or hold.
96 Points - Wine Enthisiast
Aromatically intense exuding broken seashell, fresh almonds, mint, jasmine and subtle yeasty notes. The palate elegantly delivers salty buttered pastry, light berry and pulverized stone minerality. Stunningly finessed and beautifully balanced, it's a pure expression of elegance.
94 Points - Wine Spectator
Refined and harmonious, yet this offers a vivacious range of pear, quince and white cherry fruit, toast point, candied lemon peel and pickled ginger flavors. Backed by well-meshed, chiseled acidity, this expands nicely on the plush, creamy mousse. Minerally smoke and chalk notes show on the finish. Drink now through 2040.
93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Disgorged in June 2024 with a dosage of seven grams per liter, Pol Roger’s 2016 Brut Blanc de Blancs is a compelling expression of the vintage. It opens with an aromatic profile of crisp pear, lemon zest and freshly baked bread, mingling with notes of early white blossoms and a subtle reductive framing. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, taut and incisive—more tensile and linear than the richer, more rounded 2015 iteration. Bracing acidity drives the wine toward a long, saline finish. This is a quintessential Blanc de Blancs: precise, energetic and poised for graceful evolution, promising to develop further layers and toasty sophistication with age.
