Today we share one of the great Champagne houses in the world. Flashback to 2016 and Rare Champagne became its own brand, formerly being the top wine of Piper-Hedseick, owned by the EPI group. Rare Champagne is made in select vintages, and this is the latest edition from 2012 with the last Rare Champagne being produced with the challenging 2013 vintage. That said, the 2013 Rare was clearly one of the great wines made that vintage.
These Champagnes are aged at least ten years on the lees before disgorgement. Cuvée Rare was first created by Piper-Heidsieck back in 1976. Rare Champagne has only declared 14 vintages, which is one of the most demanding producers in Champagne. Rare is always a Chardonnay dominant prestige champagne, and utilizes grapes from Trépail and Villers-Marmery in the Montagne de Reims to play first fiddle in the blend instead of classic Côte des Blancs grands crus origins. The new wine was extraordinarily good and has a long life ahead of it.
Chef de caves Emilien Boutillat has crafted a stunning 2012 Rare (OB, 97) which really needs a lot of air before consuming. It is concentrated, rich and layered with a scintillating mouthfeel and mousse. Learn more about this incredible wine at https://www.foliowine.com/wine/rare-millesime-brut/ and here is my review of the 2012 Rare Champagne.
2012 Rare Champagne- The 2012 Rare Champagne is a world-class follow up to the stunning 2013 edition. Aged for more than a decade on the less, this is composed of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir (sourced from Verzy, Verzenay, Aÿ, Ambonnay, and Villedommange). It is marvelously leesy on the nose with buttered brioche notes alongside shades of banana, cardamom dusted walnut and ginger accents. The palate has amazing volume and texture, as the silky and refined mousse deftly greets you. The length is downright glorious here, as this is a big, broad-shouldered edition of ‘Rare’ that is just starting to hit its stride. Be sure to give this at least 20 minutes of air before consuming. Drink 2025-2052- 97