Pol Roger Reserve NV Champagne: Tradition Meets Brilliance

Gianluca Ferro — Solid champagne, bit pricey though

7/10

Mate at work recommended Pol Roger so I grabbed a bottle for my wife's birthday. It's good — nice lemony freshness with a sort of pastry richness underneath. But pushing £48 for a non-vintage? There are champagnes at £35 that get you 90% of the way there.

Tyler Bennet — Gorgeous with fish and chips

8/10

I know that sounds mad but trust me on this. The lemon and that crisp acidity just cut right through the batter. Bought two bottles from Waitrose and the second one didn't last the weekend. The dried apricot note is really lovely once you notice it.

Priya Sharma — Expected more honestly

6/10

Had this at a restaurant last month and liked it enough to buy a bottle for home. Drinking it on the sofa on a Tuesday didn't quite have the same magic. It's perfectly fine champagne — peachy, bit of toast — but I think I'd been talked into expecting something incredible. Decent but not life-changing.