Pol Roger, Brut Vintage, 2002

2002 hardly needs an introduction, its reputation has been well and truly made, thanks to some fantastic cuvees from the Grands Marques over the last few years, such as Bollinger, Dom Perignon and Louis Roederer. Pol Roger are one of the last houses to finally release the precious 2002 from their cellars and the good news is that the wine is every bit as great as anticipated, showing a stylish balance, intensity and fruitiness befitting what is proving to be one THE great Champagne vintages. Pol Roger recall that 2002 was a generally warm year with a particularly mild winter, average rainfall and few climactic problems apart from a few spring frosts and hail showers. Despite a very hot summer the effects of drought were minor. Rains at the end of August and beginning of September were followed by fine dry sunny weather starting on the 10th September and continuing through the vintage. The harvest commenced on the 12th September for the most forward parcels with the last bunches brought in on the 28th September. A vintage characterised by remarkable levels of ripeness and a good level of acidity. The 2002 Brut Vintage from Champagne Pol Roger is made from the traditional house vintage blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from 20 Grands and Premiers crus vineyards in the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. Produced only in limited quantities the Brut Vintage 2002 has been aged for 9 years in their cellars before being released onto the market. The team at Pol consider this to be in the same vein as other similarly great, ripe vintages such as 1959, 1982 and 1990.