2008 Piper-Heidsieck Rare

Tasted from magnum, disgorged in June 2024 with a dosage of nine grams per liter, the 2008 Rare Millesime has evolved at a glacial pace compared with its standard-bottle counterpart. It offers youthfully reserved aromas of freshly baked bread, lemon oil and green apple, subtly framed by smoky reduction. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, taut and tightly wound - especially in comparison with the 2012 and 2006 - defined by bright acidity and long, precise finish. Its toasty complexity is yet to fully emerge, and such magnums will require several more years under cork post disgorgement. 93+ points