{"product_id":"pol-roger-2018-brut-vintage-champagne-750ml","title":"Pol Roger 2018 Brut Vintage Champagne 750ml","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e2018 was, by wide consensus, one of Champagne's most celebrated recent growing seasons — a wet winter and spring replenished groundwater reserves, followed by an exceptionally warm, sunshine-filled summer that pushed flowering ten days ahead of the ten-year average and drove harvest to begin unusually early, on August 20th. Pol Roger's own account of the year notes a cold February with snowfall giving way to April sunshine, then a summer that stayed hot and mostly dry, with cooler nighttime temperatures helping preserve the grapes' natural acidity even through the heat. The result is a vintage the house itself expects to still be drinking beautifully by Pol Roger's 200th anniversary, in 2049.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe wine follows Pol Roger's traditional vintage blend: 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, sourced from 20 Grand and Premier Cru vineyards across the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs — the Pinot Noir contributing intensity, the Chardonnay elegance. As with every Pol Roger release, no oak touches the winemaking process at any stage; a double cold-settling of the grape juice contributes directly to the house's signature pure, fruit-driven style. Second fermentation takes place in Pol Roger's coolest cellars, 33 meters below ground at a steady 9°C — some 2 to 3°C cooler than most competing houses — a deliberate choice that slows bottle fermentation and builds complexity. Remarkably, a small team of fewer than ten people completes the entire cellar process by hand, including four of the region's remaining fifteen professional riddlers, who together turn over 60,000 bottles a day. This 2018 was disgorged in March 2024, with a dosage of 7 grams per liter, under Cellar Master Damien Cambres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eJames Suckling awarded 94 Points, finding \"berry fruit aromas mingling with bread crust, grapefruit and lemon pastries,\" lively on the palate \"with excellent structure and a bright wild-berry character. Clean and nicely focused.\" Decanter scored 93 Points, describing the 2018 as \"open and giving in style with roasted pear, ripe apricot and grapefruit skin, lightly creamy and developing richness in pecan and brown pastry,\" the Pinot Noir leading with structure while hinting at \"the smoke and spice to come with further age.\" Robert Parker's Wine Advocate matched that with 93 Points, finding it unfurling \"with notes of pear, peach, orange zest and pastry, with a touch of exotic fruit,\" full-bodied, muscular, and textural, \"with a core of rich, sweet fruit supported by succulent yet vibrant acidity, culminating in a long, enveloping finish\" — noting the 2018 aligns stylistically closer to the gourmand character of 2015 and 2012 than the more tensile, structured 2016 or 2013. Vinous called it \"absolutely delicious,\" with \"floral and citrus notes\" giving \"lovely aromatic lift to play off its mid-weight personality... airy, elegant and silky in feel.\" This is Pol Roger's own vintage house style at its most generous and immediately giving — a genuinely rewarding wine to drink now, with real potential to develop further over the years ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003ePol Roger made its first sale of wine in January 1849 in Aÿ, moving the operation to Épernay in 1851; the house began favoring brut-style Champagne production as early as 1855. The 2018 Brut Vintage follows the house's traditional vintage blend — 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay — sourced from 20 Grand and Premier Cru vineyards across the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. The 2018 growing season began with a cold February marked by snowfall, followed by a sunny April that pushed flowering to the end of May, roughly ten days ahead of the ten-year average. Summer ran hot and largely dry, with harvest beginning August 20th and continuing across four weeks; cooler nighttime temperatures throughout the season helped the grapes retain their natural acidity despite the summer heat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003ePol Roger uses no oak at any stage of production; a double cold-settling of the grape juice contributes directly to the house's pure, fruit-forward style. Second fermentation takes place in the coolest of Pol Roger's cellars, 33 meters below ground level, at a controlled 9°C — 2 to 3°C cooler than most competing Champagne houses — deliberately slowing bottle fermentation to build additional complexity. A small team of fewer than ten cellar workers completes the entire process by hand, including four of the region's remaining fifteen professional riddlers, together turning over 60,000 bottles daily. This vintage was disgorged in March 2024, with a dosage of 7 grams per liter, under Cellar Master Damien Cambres (in the role since March 2018). Annual house production runs under 120,000 cases, exported to more than 30 countries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling — 94 Points (July 2025):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I like the berry fruit aromas mingling with bread crust, grapefruit and lemon pastries. It's lively on the palate, with excellent structure and a bright wild-berry character. Clean and nicely focused. 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. Disgorged 2024. Drink or hold.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecanter — 93 Points (February 2024):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Pol Roger's 2018 vintage is showing many of the fine facets of the year upon release already, open and giving in style with roasted pear, ripe apricot and grapefruit skin, lightly creamy and developing richness in pecan and brown pastry. The Pinot Noir leads, relatively structured for the year while showing hints of the smoke and spice to come with further age. A wine that flows with some of the ease and charm of 2018, but that promises a fairly early – if rewarding – unfolding in bottle.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRobert Parker's Wine Advocate — 93 Points (July 2025):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"From a year marked by above-average maturity — at least as of this writing — and a relatively early harvest that began on August 20th, Pol Roger's 2018 Brut Vintage, disgorged in March 2024 with a dosage of seven grams per liter, offers a generous and expressive interpretation of this cuvée. Aromatically, it unfurls from the glass with notes of pear, peach, orange zest and pastry, with a touch of exotic fruit. On the palate, it is full-bodied, muscular and textural, with a core of rich, sweet fruit supported by succulent yet vibrant acidity, culminating in a long, enveloping finish. Stylistically, the 2018 vintage aligns more closely with the gourmand profiles of 2015 and 2012 rather than the more tensile 2016 or 2013.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVinous:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The 2018 Brut Vintage is absolutely delicious, just as it was last year. Floral and citrus notes give the 2018 lovely aromatic lift to play off its mid-weight personality. This is a classy, polished Vintage Champagne marked by notable brightness. Airy, elegant and silky in feel, the 2018 is an absolute delight.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBerry fruit mingles with bread crust, grapefruit, and lemon pastries. Roasted pear, ripe apricot, and grapefruit skin add further complexity, alongside pear, peach, and orange zest, developing pecan and brown pastry richness with air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLively, with excellent structure and bright wild-berry character. Full-bodied, muscular, and textural, with a core of rich, sweet fruit supported by succulent yet vibrant acidity. Nectarine, macerated raspberry, saffron, and crystallized honey add layered complexity, alongside toasted brioche.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClean, nicely focused, and long, with an enveloping richness. Hints of smoke and spice suggest real potential for further development with additional bottle age, in a style critics compare to the gourmand character of 2015 and 2012.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"overflow-x-auto w-full px-2 mb-6\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"min-w-full border-collapse text-sm leading-[1.7] whitespace-normal\"\u003e\n\u003cthead class=\"text-left\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.6)] py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.6)] py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppellation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eChampagne AOC, France\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eVintage Brut\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e60% Pinot Noir · 40% Chardonnay\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e2018\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eChampagne Pol Roger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFounded\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e1849, Aÿ; moved to Épernay 1851\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard Sources\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e20 Grand \u0026amp; Premier Cru sites, Montagne de Reims \u0026amp; Côte des Blancs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOak\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eNone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2018 Harvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eBegan August 20th, ran ~4 weeks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSecond Fermentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e33 meters underground, 9°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisgorged\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eMarch 2024\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDosage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e7 g\/L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCellar Master\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eDamien Cambres (since March 2018)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eJames Suckling 94 · Decanter 93 · Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 93 · Vinous reviewed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eGenerous, gourmand vintage Champagne — open, giving, and immediately rewarding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eBerry fruit, bread crust, grapefruit, pear, apricot, brioche, saffron, honey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrinking Window\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eNow through 2035+\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOysters, caviar, and smoked salmon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eRoast chicken\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLobster or scallops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSoft, creamy cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Southern","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44734037065794,"sku":null,"price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Pol_Roger_2018_Brut_Vintage_Champagne_750ml.jpg?v=1786831336","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/pol-roger-2018-brut-vintage-champagne-750ml","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}