Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2016

Blanc de Blancs 2016 reveals a different face of Pol Roger from the familiar Réserve Brut. Here the focus is entirely on Chardonnay, and the origin is unusually specific: fruit from the Grand Cru villages of Oiry, Chouilly, Cramant, Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Côte des Blancs. Those names make the wine a particularly interesting choice for drinkers who want to follow the grape's expression through several celebrated villages within a single declared year. The 2016 vintage is part of the bottle's identity, not an interchangeable detail. Pol Roger also makes broader multi-vintage Champagnes and other vintage families, but this cuvée has a distinct purpose. It sets aside the Pinot Noir and Meunier elements of the house's classic three-grape blends to put Chardonnay alone in the foreground. The result is a more targeted choice for an enthusiast interested in grape variety and origin, rather than simply in moving up to a more expensive label. The house's winemaking philosophy adds useful context. Established in 1849 and based in Épernay, Pol Roger stopped using barrels for vinification in 1930 and works with temperature-controlled stainless steel, keeping grapes and crus separate before blending. The wines mature in deep, cool cellars around 33 metres below street level, and bottles are still riddled by hand. Such continuity is part of the house's character, especially in a collection that is relatively compact by Champagne standards. Consider Blanc de Blancs 2016 alongside roast poultry, a delicate mushroom dish or a firm, not overly pungent cheese. Those foods allow a Chardonnay-focused Champagne to remain the centre of attention. Give it a little room in the glass and avoid serving it excessively cold, particularly if you want to appreciate the effect of bottle age. For a first Pol Roger, Réserve Brut remains the benchmark. For the pleasure of a specific vintage and the Côte des Blancs' Grand Cru Chardonnay, this 2016 is the more revealing choice.