{"product_id":"champagne-piper-heidsieck-cuvee-rare-brut-2012-champagne-france","title":"Champagne Piper Heidsieck \"Cuvee Rare\" Brut 2012 (Champagne, France) - [JS 100] [DM 97] [OB 97] [VM 96] [JD 96] [WS 96] [WA 95+] [WE 95]","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Winery:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"il\"\u003ePiper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e-Heidsieck was founded in 1785 by F. L. Heidsieck, a German who fell in love with a girl from Champagne - and the wine as well. Following his death in 1828, his nephew took over with help from cousin H. G. Piper; the Piper name was added in 1838.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003etete de cuv\u003cspan\u003eé\u003c\/span\u003ee,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e top of the line bubbly, is the Cuv\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eé\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ee \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"il\"\u003eRare\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This wine is only made \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eonly made in years when weather conditions are considered perfect for what cellarmaster Regis Camus calls 'an extraordinary cuvée',\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e when the grapes receive enough heat to become truly lush. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first \u003cspan class=\"il\"\u003eRare \u003c\/span\u003evintage was made in 1976 after an incredibly intense heatwave. Since then, there have only been nine more \u003cspan class=\"il\"\u003eRare\u003c\/span\u003e cuvées: 1979, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2006, and with the 2007, their first-ever rosé - followed by the 2008 and now the 2013.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout this Wine:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eRare Millésime 2012 is just as iconic as Rare Millésime 2002. In a warm yet precise and lively combination, the spiced aromas, floral accents and tropical notes create vivacious minerality. Like an ode to joy, its radiant personality shines through its exceptional length.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlend: 70% Chardonnay \u0026amp; 30% Pinot Noir\u003cbr\u003eChardonnay: Villers Marmery, Vertus, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Chouilly, Avize\u003cbr\u003ePinot noir: Verzy, Ay, Verzenay, Ambonnay, Villedommange\u003cbr\u003eFull malolactic fermentation\u003cbr\u003eDosage: 8g\/l\u003cbr\u003eTime aged on lees: 10 years minimum\u003cbr\u003eTime aged following disgorgement: 6 months minimum\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse show\" id=\"collapseTwo2013\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVintage Notes:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThere was a mixed start to 2012: the vintage looked to be challenging with winter and springtime frosts, rainfall and hailstorms. Temperatures rose suddenly in mid-July, bringing hot, dry weather - perfect conditions for ripening. Although the yield of the harvests was low, the quality was exceptional.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse show\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse show\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"panel-body\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe pale gold colour of Rare Millésime 2012 gleams in the glass. Its bubbles are elegant and fine.\u003cbr\u003eThe rich aromas of the first nose suggest delicious overtones of brioche, almond, mango, guava and bergamot. After a hint of heady florals (lilac), the nose develops spiced notes (honey, black tea, white pepper, incense and smoke).\u003cbr\u003eThe delicious mouthfeel is tangy and juicy. Citrus fruits emerge through an extremely silky texture. The exceptional length of the saline, mineral finish seems infinite.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eVeal and langoustine surf and turf tartare with a citrus veil, fresh marigolds, almond oil\u003cbr\u003eToasted pain de campagne, Saint-Malo Bordier butter, grated white Alba truffle\u003cbr\u003eMilk-fed veal fillet, gnocchi, hazelnut and white truffle sabayon\u003cbr\u003ePoached rhubarb on a bed of tangy yogurt, Sicilian pistachio ice cream\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRatings \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - James Suckling:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eOne of the best 2012s released. This so fresh and transparent, with superb clarity and brightness. Subtle aromas of mangoes, apples, some pie crust and crushed stones that follow through to a medium body with a tight palate and an endless finish. Precise on every level. Haute couture. Sophisticated. What a great Champagne can be. Disgorged February 2025. Drink or hold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - Owen Bargreen:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2012 Rare Champagne is a world-class follow up to the stunning 2013 edition. outstanding ’08 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-\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - Decanter Magazine:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\"The 2012 vintage pattern differed from those of 2008 or 2014 – but still demanded both patience and fortitude. April frosts were cruel this year, and for those whose vineyards jumped that hurdle, the cold spring weather that followed was unencouraging. Late summer, though was very dry, and just warm enough to create the nervy ripeness blenders love. You can almost smell that tension in the aromatic restraint of this Champagne, but keep looking and you’ll find much to relish, too, including flowers from the Chardonnay and root spice from the Pinot. Age mingles the two seamlessly. Once in the mouth, this is a Champagne of structure and proportion, and it’s here, too, that you can see the skill and restraint with which all the elements have been chamfered and jointed into place.\" (Jan 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Vinous Media:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\"The 2012 Brut Millésime blends 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay mainly from Montagne de Reims and a small portion from Côte des Blancs, giving it a slightly unusual yet eternally sleek Chardonnay bent. It spent a decade on the lees. Its nose is a smoky wonder, combining ripe, almost tropical fruit with a gorgeous toasty sense of grilled almonds. An overtone of candied orange peel flashes up momentarily. The palate brings wonderfully golden plum fruit, ripe yet fresh, juicy and utterly aromatic, verging on apricot and always surrounded by a toasty, warming frisson of grilled nuts, pervaded by a streak of finest freshness. This is immensely youthful, captured with brilliantly pure fruit and lasting expression that rings long in a toasty umami echo. Dosage is 8 grams per liter.\" - Anne Krebiehl (Feb 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\"Golden yellow-hued, the 2012 Champagne Millésime has notes of pineapple, brûléed citrus, honeyed ginger, and lemon curd. Round and full, it offers a pillowy mousse with a long finish. It has more ripeness than the 2013 but has fantastic underlying tension and acidity. It’s deceiving, as it is quite approachable now but also has the bones to age over the coming decades. (Drink between 2024-2045).\" - Audrey Frick (Dec 2024)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Wine Spectator:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A graceful Champagne that waltzes across the palate, with a fine, plush mousse carrying a lovely range of ripe black cherry, pureed raspberry, candied ginger, Mandarin orange peel, grilled nut and pastry flavors enlivened by a vibrant spine of lemony acidity. To a certain extent, the precision and elegance belies the focus and breadth on display, so sip this slowly and enjoy as it opens in the glass and expands on the palate, echoing on the finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2040. - Alison Napjus (Dec 2024)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95+ Points - Wine Advocate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"One of the greatest hits from Rare Champagne, the 2012 Rare Millésime is produced from fruit harvested between September 10 and 26. Disgorged in November 2023 with a dosage of eight grams per liter, it is a rich and flamboyant wine that harnesses the season’s maturity to its advantage. It unfurls in the glass with a complex bouquet of crisp pear, freshly baked bread and white flowers, mingling with roasted pineapple, caramelized sugar and a deft touch of smoky reduction. On the palate, it is full-bodied, muscular, ample and textural, with a simultaneously generous but elegant expression of fruit underpinned by succulent yet vibrant acidity and concluding with a long, saline finish tinged with toast. Concentrated but harmonious, it is dangerously drinkable now yet promises a long window of pleasure. The blend is the classic 70% Chardonnay (predominantly from Villers-Marmery) and 30% Pinot Noir.\" - Kristaps Karklins (Oct 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"panel-body\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"With Chardonnay dominant in the blend, this is a stylish, impressive Champagne. With its white flower aroma and poise between white fruits and maturity, it is ready to drink.\"  (Dec 2024)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"BREAKTHRU","offers":[{"title":"750 ml","offer_id":51668808499565,"sku":"","price":249.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0481\/8940\/7391\/files\/rare-millesime-2012-bottle.jpg?v=1763578460","url":"https:\/\/artisan.wine\/products\/champagne-piper-heidsieck-cuvee-rare-brut-2012-champagne-france","provider":"Artisan W\u0026S","version":"1.0","type":"link"}