critic reviews
Pol Roger's 2008 Rose Vintage is an impressively full-bodied, round and fruity as well as structured Champagne. Dressed in a beautiful salmon color, the 2008 opens beautifully clear, deep and fresh on the aromatic and spicy perfumed nose where red berry (raspberries!) and aromatic herbs are displayed. Full, intense and rich on the palate, this is an expansive, perfectly round, vinous and already accessible Champagne with power, structure and finesse. The finish is just excellentfresh, with well-integrated acidity and a functional but not prominent mineral backbone. The Vintage Rose is based on the Vintage Brut (60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay), which sees approximately 15% of still red wine (Pinot Noir) from crus of the Montagne de Reims added before the bottling and second fermentation. The Vintage Rose is produced only in limited quantities and was aged on the lees for seven years before the disgorgement. This 2008 was disgorged in May 2017. The next release is the 2009 Rose, which I haven't tasted so far.
The 2008 Rosé is absolutely gorgeous. Precise, sculpted and lifted throughout, the 2008 offers striking brightness in its red berry and rose petal flavors. The wine gains energy, intensity and focus with time in the glass, yet the overall impression is one of finesse. Readers should expect a taut, chiseled style. Then again, that is 2008.