Rare Brut Millesime 2013

Piper-Heidsieck Rare Champagne Brut Millesime 

Region: Champagne, France

Vintage: 2013

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir

ABV: 12%

WA: 93+ points

Notes: Vegetarian, vegan, sustainable

This Champagne is a crystal-clear, light gold in colour. The initial nose shines with the pure vivacity of this vintage, showing pronounced aromas of orange blossom, hyacinth and white flowers, with notes of just-ripe Williams pear, fresh coconut, almond, and tangerine. Saline and smoky hints balance the nose perfectly. The palate is crisp and precise, with citrus and tropical fruit lingering on the long, complex finish.

Made only eleven times since 1976, Rare Champagne lives up to its name. Champagne legend Régis Camus is the Chef de Cave, whose meticulous winemaking has made him Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the IWC eight times. The wine is born out of a struggle with nature – in 1976 it was after a period of exceptional drought, in 1985 following a terrible black frost. Rare Champagne pays homage to the glory days of Versailles when founder Florens-Louis Heidsieck presented his first ever ‘prestige cuvée’ to Marie Antoinette in 1785, declaring that he wanted to make a ‘cuvée worthy of a queen’.