Pol to launch ‘08 blanc de blancs

Pol Roger is preparing to launch its “best ever” blanc de blancs, the 2008 vintage, in the UK in the next few weeks.

The Chardonnay-dominated wine follows on from the 2004 but managing director of Pol Roger UK, James Simpson, told the drinks business that the small 2006 vintage and its popularity in Sweden means that the introduction of the 2008 was bought forward to fill the gap.

Simpson was effusive in his praise of the ‘08 which he called the “best ever” blanc de blancs Pol Roger has produced, certainly the “classiest”.

He described the ‘02 and ‘08 as the “two great vintages of the 2000s” though both were very different in style, the ‘02 richer and more ample, the ’08 – with a dosage of just 8 grams of sugar – much more “austere” and “pure”.

Although the wine is currently “far too young”, Simpson added that it would reward “four-five years” (at least) of bottle ageing.

Disgorged by the house last November, Pol Roger will be approaching merchants with offers in the next few weeks – probably after the en primeur campaign is finished.

“Everyone will be bored of Bordeaux by then and it’ll be time to do something else,” explained Simpson, who added that Pol Roger would be looking to sell three-quarters of its UK allocation on release particularly as trade was “picking up” on other ‘08s as the trade begins to twig how good it is.

Meanwhile, Simpson declared that the ’08, ’12 and ’13 vintages would be the “three next great vintages” in Champagne.