2002 Piper-Heidsieck Rare
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Tasting Notes
I reported on the 2002 Piper-Heidsieck Rare a year ago and time does not seem to have touched it at all over the last twelve months, for if anything, this particular bottle seemed even younger than last year’s! The wine beautifully synthesizes the ripe fruit of ’02 with great structural integrity and seems likely to drink at its peak for at least another twenty years. The bouquet is a pure, complex blend of apple, white peach, a touch of leesiness, a great base of soil, fresh-baked bread, a touch of citrus peel and an overtly smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and superbly detailed, with a fine core of fruit, elegant mousse, bright acids and excellent backend mineral drive on the long, vibrant and very classy finish. Nov 2016, www.viewfromthecellar.com, Drink: 2016- 2035+
Critic Scores
Average Score
John Gilman, View From The Cellar
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
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. Jun 2016, www.robertparker.com
Impeccably balanced and silky, with finely honed acidity shaping the expansive flavors of toasted brioche, crushed blackberry, lemon preserves and honey, revealing hints of Frangelico liqueur and smoked nut. Rich and vivid, with a lasting finish. 2,500 cases made. Nov 2015, www.winespectator.com, Drink: 2015-2027
This is only the eighth vintage since 1976, the smallest hit rate of any major Champagne house. It is a blend of 70% chardonnay and 30% pinot noir, extra time on cork post-disgorgement adding to the complexity – and harmony – of the marriage between the zesty grapefruit flavours of the chardonnay and layers of creamy/honeyed brioche ex the time on tirage and the pinot noir component. www.winecompanion.com.au
