Extracted from a thread just posted: 5 wines tasted blind at dinner: 2008 Piper-Heidsieck Rare, 2019 Desjourneys les Cras, 2014 Domaine Les Lambrays Clos du Cailleret, 2011 Chave Hermitage, 1995 Williams Selyem Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
2008 PIPER-HEIDSIECK CUVEE RARE BRUT- blind; 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir with ~10 grams of dosage; following its light yellow color came inviting aromas of brioche laden lemon and orange zest with a yeasty component and a strong hint of bright acidity; once I tasted it, I had a good idea as to what it was as there was a white pepper note that joined grapefruit and yellow peach on the palate that I’ve experienced in P-H Rare; after 15 minutes or so, a nice lemon oil finish left more positive notes; it was creamy with full on richness and reminded me of childhood Spritz sodas I used to love; I could have also guessed the vintage correctly as previous bottles form 2008 were similar in taste and profile, but I called it 2013.
ABOUT RARE CHAMPAGNE “Rare Champagne’s noble origins date back to May 6, 1785, when Florens-Louis Heidsieck met Queen Marie Antoinette for the first time: “I wanted a cuvée worthy of a queen!” He wrote. The legend was born 200 years later with the unveiling of the very first Rare Champagne vintage, Rare Millésime 1976, presented at the Château de Versailles, in 1985. Over the past 40 years, Rare Champagne has only released 14 vintages, all in limited series: 1976, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, and Rare Rosé Millésime 2007, 2008, 2012, and 2014.”
Cheers,
Blake