- The greatest Rare since 1988 and even better than 2008.
- A wonderful champagne for today and the next ten years plus.
- Rare brut Millesime 2002 is a legend. It is incredibly concentrated and has fabulous acidity.
We have been following Rare 2002 for a good ten years. At first, it was incredibly lush with exotic fruit, candied orange peel, coconut, cocoa and caramel. In the meantime, it has acquired an almost Riesling-like precision and the fabulous acidity has become more pronounced. The exotic aroma has receded. It is no coincidence that one of Germany's best Riesling winemakers was so enthusiastic that he ordered 60 bottles straight away. Meanwhile, the roasted aromas of coffee, nut cake, orange peel, figs and dried apricots are coming to the fore again. Rare 2002 is a great champagne. It will develop an even softer palate over time. The silky palate that we otherwise love in Dom Perignon also characterises Rare. It still has great potential and should continue to give pleasure for another two decades.
After Piper Heidsieck, otherwise known for mass-produced wines, replaced the prestigious Cuvée Florens-Louis with Rare 1976, a series of great Rare Champagnes followed. 1988, 1998 and 2002 are the highlights. These champagnes were created by Charles Heidsieck's cellar masters, who took care of Piper-Heidsieck's flagship product. Both houses have had the same owners for about three decades, although they have been sold several times. So don't miss out on this great champagne pleasure because of Piper Heidsieck's reputation.
