Pol Roger Champagne Brut Cuvée De Réserve 2000

Pol Roger's vintage Brut from 2000, labelled Cuvée de Réserve.

This is Pol Roger's 2000 Brut Vintage as released through the house's Vinothèque library program, held back for long ageing in its Épernay cellars before a late release. The blend is the house's classic 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, drawn from about twenty Grand and Premier Cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. In Champagne, 2000 began with a dry spring, but hail in June and July destroyed about a tenth of the crop before a warm August ripened the surviving fruit richly, and the house judged its base wines to have good body, sound acidity and length. James Suckling (95 points) found dried citrus, gunpowder and orange peel, calling it "full-bodied with a dense and intense palate," and says to drink now. Antonio Galloni of Vinous (92 points) notes that "the 2000 has aged impeccably" and suggests drinking it by 2030. 12% ABV, 750ml.