Rare brut Millesime 2008

• A great but still firm, mineral Rare.
• Needs more time, drink the 2002 or 2006 Rare today.

Rare 2008 won the Top 100 tasting by Fine Champagne Magazine and Tasting Book and was named Champagne of the Year. Rare 2008 is one of the last 2008s to come onto the market. But even after 11 years of yeast storage, the strong 2008 character with great fruit density and intense acidity appeals to you immediately. The Maillard response is present with aromas of vanilla and roasted coffee accompanied by lemon and floral notes of lilac, orange blossom. It is distinctly mineral, focused and well structured. 

Rare is made from 70 per cent Chardonnay, which not only comes from the Grand Crus Le Mesnil, Chouilly and Avize, but is mainly obtained from the particularly powerful Chardonnay sites Trepail, Villers Marmery and Vaudemange in the Grande Montagne de Reims. After a long period of weakness, Piper Heidsieck belongs to the Charles Heidsieck Group. Their work is bearing fruit; today, Piper is once again one of the top houses, even if there is still a commercial champagne line with the Red Label, which is not interesting for the connoisseur.

97 winespectator.com Like a stallion out of the gate, this shows an initial explosion of power, in the form of mouthwatering flavours and fine texture, before quickly settling into an elegant gait. The racy acidity is seamlessly knit, buoying the lacy mousse and flavours of cassis, toasted brioche and tangerine, with accents of candied ginger, hazelnut and fleur de sel lingering on the long, creamy finish.

750 mL

12.5

Champagne

Pinot Noir & Chardonnay

Sulphites

• Brut

France

PH-CH 12 Allée du Vignoble 51100 Reims - France