Wine Advisor
Piper Heidsieck, Rare Millesime Brut 2002
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Description
Time offers energy and strength to Rare Millésime 1988, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2006 and Rare Rosé 2007 and 2008. And will continue to do so for a long time… Their infinite minerality is the fame of Rare Champagne. Like his predecessors, Régis Camus the most awarded Cellar Master of the century*, succeeds in transforming Rare Champagne into a wine of patience with an unlimited potential for expression. Time is no longer an obstacle but a benefit which emphasizes the personality of each vintage. *Régis Camus, awarded 8 times "Champagne and Sparkling Winemaker of the Year" by the International Wine Challenge Jury since the beginning of the century.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Stephan Reinhardt
The pale gold, greenish shimmering 2002 Rare Millesime – 30% Pinot Noir and 70% Chardonnay – offers a very intense and rich, yet fresh nose of exotic fruit aromas of pineapples, mango, kiwi and passion fruit. On the palate, this is a mouthful of luscious Champagne: powerful and intense, but pure and with the complexity of matured wines. The finish is very exotic in its fruit aromas, but also persistently mineral.
About the Producer
The oldest of the three Heidsieck champagne houses, Piper-Heidsieck was founded in 1785 by Florens-Louis Heidsieck. Ambitious to make his mark, Florens-Louis created a cuvee which he dedicated and presented in person to Queen Marie-Antoinette, a patronage that one assumes was, at a certain point, abruptly severed. Upon his death, nephew Christian Heidsieck went into partnership with Henri-Guillaume Piper, an energetic entrepreneur who did much to champion champagne throughout the world. Christian died suddenly, his widow married Henri-Guillaume and the company became known as Piper-Heidsieck. Today, Piper-Heidsieck has established itself as one of champagnes most consistent and reliable expressions. In 2011, the prestigious FINE Champagne magazine awarded the Piper-Heidsieck Rare first place in its Best 100 Champagnes list.
