One of Piper's most excellent renditions of the Cuvee Rare, we were able to get a bit more after selling out at this special low pricing. At this point, we have tried 2008 at least a dozen times since its release, and every bottle we pop is better than the last. With more time in the bottle, it is starting to show so well as one of the best Rare's ever made, rivaling some of the best Grand Marques Champagnes of the vintage. One of the not-to-miss 2008s, this is beautiful now but will continue to age very well for another decade or more. Don't miss this special low pricing!
We have been patiently waiting for the 2008 Piper to be released ever since 2006 came out. Piper is always one of the last to release its Tete de Cuvee, meaning that it comes out of the gate with a little more age than some of its peers. Originally a tribute to Marie Antoinette, Cuvee Rare is only made in the best vintages, and because of that, has only seen ten iterations, with the first being the '76 vintage. These wines ultimately come down to the expertise of one man, Cellar Master Regis Camus. Regis is a brilliant and passionate winemaker and was awarded Sparkling Winemaker of the Year 8 times from the International Wine Challenge. Regis designs these wines to be ageless, which miraculously keeps getting better with time. Always an example of elegance, purity, and freshness, with profound minerality and subtle intricacies. Regis sources the fruit from the Montagne de Reims, for both the Chardonnay and the Pinot Noir, which is uncommon, but Regis enjoys the freshness that the Chardonnay from that part of the region brings, though the exact blend is a secret. 2008 is still a baby, and its youth provides vibrant and fresh drinking and will be putting on more weight and complexity with age. It is a champagne that will need some cellaring to bloom fully and will easily outdrink its score in time. 2008 is a sleeping giant and more classicly styled than the more gourmand 2006, which our clients should enjoy. The 2008 Cuvee Rare has just been released, and we have some of the only bottles available in the USA.
Wine Spectator 97 points! "Like a stallion out of the gate this shows an initial explosion of power in the form of mouthwatering flavors and fine texture before quickly settling into an elegant gait. The racy acidity is seamlessly knit buoying the lacy mousse and flavors of cassis toasted brioche and tangerine with accents of candied ginger hazelnut and fleur de sel lingering on the long creamy finish. Drink now through 2035. 2000 cases imported. — AN"
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points! "A gorgeous, yet tight, backward vintage for this cuvée, the 2008 Champagne Rare is based on 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir with around 10 grams of dosage. Beautiful crisp citrus and stone fruits as well as flinty minerality and just hint of brioche emerge from the glass, and it takes hours for this to really unwind and show its potential. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has bright acidity, terrific concentration, and a great finish. I wouldn't think about opening another bottle for a solid 5-7 years, but it should have 30 years or more of ultimate longevity."
Decanter 95 points! "A lively first nose of candied lemon, guava, also a hint of lime. With aeration, notes of almonds and almond flowers come to the fore. On the palate, there is a nervy tension that energises its fine, crystalline texture. This is an upright and elegant Champagne whose long, airy finish is mouthwatering. After some time in the glass, it evolves towards notes of smoke, flint and vanilla. A sumptuous Champagne."
2008 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Rare
2008 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Rare
One of Piper's most excellent renditions of the Cuvee Rare, we were able to get a bit more after selling out at this special low pricing. At this point, we have tried 2008 at least a dozen times since its release, and every bottle we pop is better than the last. With more time in the bottle, it is starting to show so well as one of the best Rare's ever made, rivaling some of the best Grand Marques Champagnes of the vintage. One of the not-to-miss 2008s, this is beautiful now but will continue to age very well for another decade or more. Don't miss this special low pricing!
We have been patiently waiting for the 2008 Piper to be released ever since 2006 came out. Piper is always one of the last to release its Tete de Cuvee, meaning that it comes out of the gate with a little more age than some of its peers. Originally a tribute to Marie Antoinette, Cuvee Rare is only made in the best vintages, and because of that, has only seen ten iterations, with the first being the '76 vintage. These wines ultimately come down to the expertise of one man, Cellar Master Regis Camus. Regis is a brilliant and passionate winemaker and was awarded Sparkling Winemaker of the Year 8 times from the International Wine Challenge. Regis designs these wines to be ageless, which miraculously keeps getting better with time. Always an example of elegance, purity, and freshness, with profound minerality and subtle intricacies. Regis sources the fruit from the Montagne de Reims, for both the Chardonnay and the Pinot Noir, which is uncommon, but Regis enjoys the freshness that the Chardonnay from that part of the region brings, though the exact blend is a secret. 2008 is still a baby, and its youth provides vibrant and fresh drinking and will be putting on more weight and complexity with age. It is a champagne that will need some cellaring to bloom fully and will easily outdrink its score in time. 2008 is a sleeping giant and more classicly styled than the more gourmand 2006, which our clients should enjoy. The 2008 Cuvee Rare has just been released, and we have some of the only bottles available in the USA.
Wine Spectator 97 points! "Like a stallion out of the gate this shows an initial explosion of power in the form of mouthwatering flavors and fine texture before quickly settling into an elegant gait. The racy acidity is seamlessly knit buoying the lacy mousse and flavors of cassis toasted brioche and tangerine with accents of candied ginger hazelnut and fleur de sel lingering on the long creamy finish. Drink now through 2035. 2000 cases imported. — AN"
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points! "A gorgeous, yet tight, backward vintage for this cuvée, the 2008 Champagne Rare is based on 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir with around 10 grams of dosage. Beautiful crisp citrus and stone fruits as well as flinty minerality and just hint of brioche emerge from the glass, and it takes hours for this to really unwind and show its potential. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has bright acidity, terrific concentration, and a great finish. I wouldn't think about opening another bottle for a solid 5-7 years, but it should have 30 years or more of ultimate longevity."
Decanter 95 points! "A lively first nose of candied lemon, guava, also a hint of lime. With aeration, notes of almonds and almond flowers come to the fore. On the palate, there is a nervy tension that energises its fine, crystalline texture. This is an upright and elegant Champagne whose long, airy finish is mouthwatering. After some time in the glass, it evolves towards notes of smoke, flint and vanilla. A sumptuous Champagne."
