Features
Name:
Champagne Brut Millesimé Rare 2012
Terrain:
calcareous and rich in gypsum, largely composed of calcite grains
Cellar
Charles-Camille Heidsieck was born in 1822. This happy event took place 37 years after his great-uncle founded the Champagne Heidsieck et Cie House.
Little Charles grew up among grapes, loved by his mother, Emilie Henriot, and his sisters, in a family governed by the traditions of Reims and Prussian rigour.
Educated, he distinguished himself by his integrity and elegance.
At the age of 29, Charles took his destiny into his own hands and founded a Maison in his own image. His audacity, his adventures and the fame of his wines would make him a legend of his time.
His distinctive aesthetic choices made the Maison unique and renowned among all, or as it was known: Typiquement Charles.
Charles was the cornerstone of a distinguished lineage.
His ambitions served to guide his descendants through the centuries.
In 2011, the Descours family took over the Maison with the aim of ensuring its international reputation.
Description
Rare Champagne, nectar of a single vintage, is the result of the expertise and sensitivity of Émilien Boutillat, Chef de Caves of Rare Champagne & Piper-Heidsieck, awarded as Sparkling Winemaker of the Year 2023 by the International Wine Challenge (IWC) for the Maison Rare Champagne. It is a daring maison, producing champagne in limited quantities only in years marked by extraordinary climatic conditions. For over 40 years it has declared only 14 vintage wines, each a unique expression of nature and the mastery of the Chef de Cave. The latter selects terroirs for their expressiveness, breaking conventions with chardonnays from the Montagne de Reims and pinot noirs of unparalleled silkiness. The cuvée is a blend of 70%Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir grapes from 11 villages, 8 Grand Cru and 3 Premier Cru. Grapes of excellent quality, generating wines that are expressive and full-bodied, lively and complex.
Organoleptic characteristics:
The pale gold hue reveals a fine and elegant effervescence. The first nose is rich and mouthwatering, with aromas of brioche, almond, mango, guava and bergamot. Hints of lilac anticipate spicy notes of honey, black tea, vanilla, white pepper, incense and smokiness. The palate is vertical, unique, elegant, with a beautiful freshness, complex, balanced, with a beautiful texture characterised by savoury and citrus notes with a mineral and iodine finish with a long persistence. A Champagne of great vitality with a radiant personality.
Storage time:
2-15 years
Vinification
Vinification is carried out in steel containers with malolactic fermentation, with 10 years of ageing on the lees and a dosage of 8g/l at dégorgement in December 2023
Acknowledgements
James Suckling 97/100
