2008 Rare Champagne Millesime (Piper-Heidsieck)

Other Reviews....
The 2008 Brut Cuvée Rare, now re-baptized as "Rare Champagne," continues to evolve at a glacial pace. Offering up aromas of citrus oil, freshly baked bread and wet stones, it's medium to full-bodied, taut and incisive, with a tangy spine of acidity and a pretty pinpoint mousse, but much in the way of texture or amplitude has yet to emerge. While I continue to think that this has the makings of a very attractive bottling, continued patience is advised. Drink 2023 - 2043.
93+ points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Sep 2022)

Rich and complex nose of baked apricot, dried pineapple, praline, walnut, spiced pear and fig. Some nutmeg and smoky notes, too. It’s supple and creamy, with a broad array of ripe tropical and spiced fruit and salted-caramel undertones. Soft bubbles. Dry feel. 70% chardonnay and 30% pinot noir, mainly from the Montagne de Reims. 11 years on the lees, disgorged end of 2020. 10g/l dosage. Delicious now.
95 points
JamesSuckling.com

Rare Champagne boasts an illustrious past, with its first vintage having been presented to Marie Antoinette in 1785. The wine is produced in very limited quantities and is restricted to exceptional years, with only 11 vintages being declared over the past four decades of production. 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir from selected grand cru vineyards. Simon Field MW: Gentle bead, lovely evolved notes of hazelnut, even a hint of praline, enrobed and ennobled by firm acidity and a persuasive finish. Alan Bednarski: Great, pure wine with still-fresh zesty flavours, delicate palate and sweet yeast notes, with a long flavourful finish of ripe melon. Tim Hall: A challenging, pressing start, wanting to overwhelm with shimmering and sharp attack, but shows intensity on the palate to match. Lovely lemon-apple notes and tempered texture. Drink 2021 - 2028.
96 points
Decanter

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.
97 points
Alison Napjus - Wine Spectator

The new release of this producer's prestige cuvée comes in its usual beautifully sculpted bottle. The Champagne, from a great vintage in the region, is just approaching maturity still showing minerality from the high amount of Chardonnay in the blend. Nutty flavors are creeping in, keeping the great texture adding complexity. Drink this very fine wine now although it will also age further.
96 points
Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast