93 points - Antonio Galloni (Vinous)
96 points - James Suckling
Pol Roger is known for its exceptional quality, which is largely due to the high number of vintage wines they produce. The house's dedication to vintage Champagnes is undeniable, as they have never introduced a non-vintage rosé or blanc de blancs. On the contrary, they have always remained true to the vintage category, as evidenced by the fact that four out of their seven Champagnes are vintage.
Despite Pol Roger's discreet demeanor, many wine lovers are familiar with their impressive wine cellar, which contains some of the finest vintages in Champagne. The house's philosophy of letting time do its work and not selling every single bottle from every vintage is part of their DNA. They have previously kept these older bottles to themselves, but due to increasing demand from connoisseurs, they have decided to allocate more of these treasures to the public. From 2024, they will release one or two vintages of their vintage cuvées each year that have benefited from extra aging after disgorgement: Brut Vintage, Rosé Vintage, Blanc de Blancs, and Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill.
These wines were first released and then laid back down in Pol Roger's deepest cellars, 33 meters below street level, where they have matured further at a constant temperature of 9°C. This extra aging has given the wines a unique combination of power and freshness. The number of these bottles is very limited and is of more emotional than commercial significance. There will still be priceless treasures left in the cellars that are not for sale.
In 2024, Pol Roger celebrates its 175th anniversary, which is the perfect occasion to launch this project. The name "Vinothèque" was chosen as it fits perfectly with Pol Roger's style and tradition. Rather than resorting to aggressive marketing, the family relies on the value of tradition and believes that the path to success lies in gaining greater recognition for the quality of their products.
These Vinothèque bottles have a different story to tell compared to their first release. A specially designed packaging inspired by earlier labels is being developed, capturing the best historical elements. Disgorgement and release dates will naturally be indicated on the back labels, providing an authentic experience of this unique Champagne.