{"product_id":"2008-piper-heidsieck-champagne-brut-cuvee-rare-750ml-pre-arrival-copy","title":"2012 Rare Champagne Brut Cuvée Rare (750ml)","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn September 2018, the luxury group EPI (which owns both Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck) officially split Rare Champagne off into its own standalone Champagne house with the goal to fully separate it from the entry-level identity of Piper-Heidsieck but is still produced inside the same ultra-modern winemaking facility on the outskirts of Reims alongside its sister houses, Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck. What they produce is the prestige cuvée (tête de cuvée) now positioned as a rare, standalone luxury brand. It is a blend of roughly 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir sourced predominantly from the Montagne de Reims region across 15 Grands and Premiers Crus. Rare is only declared and produced during truly exceptional harvest years. Over a span of forty-plus years, the house has released only about a dozen vintages (such as 1976, 1985, 1988, 2002, 2008, and 2013). The bottles undergo extensive aging on the lees in the cellar - anywhere from 7 to 15 years depending on the vintage. The 2012 was held back and released after the 2013 as it was deemed not yet ready. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iconic metallic \"tiara-skirt\" wrapped around the bottle is an homage to a historic 1885 Cuvée du Centenaire decorated for Piper-Heidsieck by the legendary Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"One 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. Released in magnum June 2026. Disgorged February 2025. Drink or hold.\" 100 - James Suckling (07\/2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"A Champagne of great intensity and concentration, pure citrus oil, candied lemon and toasty exotic fruit. It's exceptionally soft and satin-like, creamy and comforting, then a stony, saline intensity draws out the finish. For the first time in the history of Rare Champagne, the house has released a vintage that is older than its previous release. This 2012 comes after the 2013 was released in 2023. Cellar master Émilien Boutillat says this is because when tasting the 2012, he and the team found a connection between this and the iconic 2002, so it deserved a little bit of extra time in the cellars before release. (Drink between 2026-2045)\" 96 - Natalie Earl, Decanter (11\/2024)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Default","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50881001783554,"sku":null,"price":199.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/1419\/7817\/files\/WQYxnqXyS52mwWH9EHX9Gw_pb_x960_205f6faa-16d4-46ff-84b9-338c515edc28.png?v=1695681735","url":"https:\/\/thewineclub.com\/products\/2008-piper-heidsieck-champagne-brut-cuvee-rare-750ml-pre-arrival-copy","provider":"The Wine Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}