Piper-Heidsieck Rare Rose 2008 (750ML)

98+ JD / 97 WS / 96 DE / 95+ WA / 18 JR

The 2008 Champagne Rare Rosé is straight-up sensational. Only the second time they’ve produced this cuvée, it offers a deep, full-bodied, powerful yet chiseled and laser-focused style carrying loads of wild strawberry fruit as well as notes of orange blossom, spice, and crushed rocks. Backward, austere, yet simply loaded with potential, it needs a solid 4-5 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for two decades or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

A vibrant Champagne, ballet-slipper pink in color, featuring intense flavors of nectarine, ripe raspberry, grilled nut, espresso and graphite, with a touch of dried sage, all riding the finely detailed mousse. Like a ballerina, this offers power in a graceful form. A beautiful skein of spice unravels on the lasting finish. Drink now through 2033. 2,000 cases made, 200 cases imported. - Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator

n the first decade of this century, two years really stand out for Champagne: 2002 and 2008, although many now think that the cooler, more poised 2008 may win out in the end. Described with the two words, ‘precisely gracious’, the 2008 will be the next Blanc release. For the time being we have the fabulous rosé to enjoy, which is far lighter than the 2007 and much more refined. Cellar master Régis Camus waxes lyrical, comparing the colour to a ballerina’s pump or even the light filtering through the stained glass of the Basilica in Reims. Lovely evocative comparisons for a lovely, highly accomplished wine. Lychee, verbena and a basket of crisp red fruits all conspire with almonds, nutmeg and soft spice to shape this truly outstanding wine. - Simon Field MW,  Decanter

The 2008 Brut Rosé Cuvée Rare is the second rendition of this cuvée ever produced, and the wine is showing very well, unwinding in the glass with a youthfully shy nose featuring white cherries, blood orange, Meyer lemon, honeysuckle and dried white flowers that offers the promise of considerable complexity to come. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, racy and tight-knit, with good concentration, beautifully integrated acids and a fine mousse, concluding with a long, saline and delicately phenolic finish. This is really quite reserved after its recent disgorgement but should develop beautifully with a few years on cork. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Lot code: L1990198098. Blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir (including the 13% still red added for colour). A blend of 13 crus (including Chardonnay from Villers-Marmery, Vertus and Montgueux and Pinot Noir from Aÿ and Verzy). Fermented in tank with full malo. Aged for nine years on the lees and a further two years after the disgorgement in July 2018 with dosage 8 g/l.
Another extraordinary bottle tasted immediately after the Belle Epoque 2012. (I wonder how long we will go on explaining how Rare was spun out of Piper Heidsieck with Régis Camus in charge?) Very bright, pale flame-orange – if that makes sense. Very exciting nose with layers of coconut (if Camus is not insulted by that), broad and rich initially but very lively, bright-fruited finish. Super-clean, refreshing but layered. Really pretty spiffy! Grown-up wine with a dry finish. Thundering, multi-layered finish. This is a wine that commands attention. - Jancis Robinson