Historical tasting of 38 Pol Roger with the owner and CEO

[Francois_Audouze]

Peter Crawford, a Scottish champagne lover has organized a fabulous tasting in Rheims in Assiette Champenoise.
I had no time to translate my notes in French but I can give the list of the wines in 8 flights, my ranking of the wines within each flight, and a way to find which glass is on the picture of all the wines that I made because I was the only one to refuse to give back my glasses as I had the feeling that I could make an historical photo.

Champagne Pol Roger Brut magnum sans année (aperitf not on the picture)

1. Champagne Pol Roger Brut sans année sur une base de 2011

2. Champagne Pol Roger Brut sans année sur une base de 2008

3. Champagne Pol Roger Brut sans année sur une base du début des années 90

4. Champagne Pol Roger Brut sans année sur une base des années 50

5. Champagne Pol Roger Brut sans année format Pint des années 60
   Classement : 1 – Pint, 2 – base 2008, 3 – base 90s, 4 – base 2011, 5 – base 50s

6. Champagne Pol Roger 2002

7. Champagne Pol Roger 1971

8. Champagne Pol Roger 1947 de dégorgement d’origine

9. Champagne Pol Roger 1947 dégorgé en 1981

10. Champagne Pol Roger 1928
    Classement : 1 – 1947 dégorgement initial, 2 – 1928, 3 – 2002, 4 – 1947 dégorgé en 1981, 5 – 1971.

11. Champagne Pol Roger magnum 1990

12. Champagne Pol Roger 1964

13. Champagne Pol Roger 1953

14. Champagne Pol Roger 1934
    Classement : 1 – 1953, 2 – 1934, 3 – 1964, 4 – 1990.

15. Champagne Pol Roger 1982

16. Champagne Pol Roger 1962

17. Champagne Pol Roger 1952

18. Champagne Pol Roger 1904 dégorgé en 1921 et rebouché en 1992
    Classement : 1 – 1952, 2 – 1962, 3 – 1982, 4 – 1904

19. Champagne Pol Roger 1995

20. Champagne Pol Roger 1985

21. Champagne Pol Roger 1961

22. Champagne Pol Roger 1949
    Classement : 1 – 1949, 2 – 1985, 3 – 1995, 4 – 1961.

23. Champagne Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs 1988

24. Champagne Pol Roger Vintage 1988

25. Champagne Pol Roger rosé 1988

26. Champagne Pol Roger P.R. 1988

27. Champagne Pol Roger Cuvée Winston Churchill 1988
    Classement : 1 – Winston Churchill, 2 – Blanc de Blancs, 3 – rosé, 4 – Vintage, 5 – P.R.

28. Champagne Pol Roger magnum 1996

29. Champagne Pol Roger 1959 dégorgement d’origine

30. Champagne Pol Roger 1959 dégorgement vers 2000

31. Champagne Pol Roger 1937

32. Champagne Pol Roger 1914 dégorgement d’origine rebouché en 99 ou 2000
    Classement : 1 – 1959 original, 2 – 1996, 3 – 1937, 4 – 1959 dégorgement tardif, 5 – 1914.

33. Champagne Pol Roger 2008

34. Champagne Pol Roger 1979

35. Champagne Pol Roger 1966

36. Champagne Pol Roger 1921 dégorgement d’origine

37. Champagne Pol Roger 1921 dégorgement janvier 1992

38. Champagne Pol Roger 1892
    Classement : 1 – 1921 original, 2 – 1921 dégorgement tardif, 3 – 2008, 4 – 1966, 5 – 1892, 6 – 1979.
    
    
    

comments : I always preferred the initial disgorgement to the late disgorgement. I can concede that this is my personal taste but I love to have the soul of a vintage, and not a soul which had a lifting.
When a bottle is recorked, the probability to have a cork smell is greater than with an original corK

The general quality of the wines presented was of a particularly high level.

[K_John_Joseph]

@François Audouze

Peter Crawford, a Scottish champagne lover has organized a fabulous tasting in Rheims in Assiette Champenoise.
I had no time to translate my notes in French but I can give the list of the wines in 8 flights, my ranking of the wines within each flight, and a way to find which glass is on the picture of all the wines that I made because I was the only one to refuse to give back my glasses as I had the feeling that I could make an historical photo.


23. Champagne Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs 1988
24. Champagne Pol Roger Vintage 1988
25. Champagne Pol Roger rosé 1988
26. Champagne Pol Roger P.R. 1988
27. Champagne Pol Roger Cuvée Winston Churchill 1988
Classement : 1 – Winston Churchill, 2 – Blanc de Blancs, 3 – rosé, 4 – Vintage, 5 – P.R.

I just mentioned this wine in our 12 bottles thread tangent on champagne. How did this 1988 Winston Churchill compare to the other winners of the night? I love the wine. One of the better champagnes I’ve had.

[Francois_Audouze]

I thought that it was extremely difficult to make a glogal ranking of the 38 wines.
Ranking is possible in one flight.
It is very difficult to do it for 2 flights or more.

If the wines had been presented in a chronological order (from the youngest or from the oldest), I think I would have been able to rank the wines. But in such flights I preferred not to do it.

Concerning the Winston Churchill, how could it be possible to compare it to a 1921 or a 1949 Pol Roger? It is such a personal question that my answer would have no real signification.

[Francois_Audouze]

here is what I said about 1988 WC drunk in jeroboam in London :

The Champagne Pol Roger Cuvée Winston Churchill 1988 Jeroboam has a fantastic nose amplified by the format. This wine is absolute perfection. It is monumental, evoking honey. I am so impressed that I shut myself in my bubble to enjoy it. I tell Peter that this wine alone justifies my trip to London because we are faced with an unusual emotion. Tonight, I touched perfection.

[K_John_Joseph]

Francois,

Your points about ranking the wines in the tasting are well taken. I agree that comparing any wine from 1988 to one 40 to 60 years its junior is nearly impossible, and much like comparing apples to bread. They may both be exquisite in their own right, but so different as to make a qualitative comparison rather pointless.

Thank you for your note on the 1988 WC from your trip to London. Through your lovely note I can imagine myself in your shoes taking in the beautiful scent and soft effervescence of the wine. A joy.