Rare Millesime 2008 (3x75cl)
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A prestige cuvée made only in truly exceptional years, 2008 marks just the 12th release of this champagne in its 45-year history.
A vintage that has been well-known for its sensational quality, and now limited supply in the market, this wine will certainly go down as a splendid collectible for any wine enthusiast. Scoring 97 pts (WS), 96 pts (WE) and 17.5/20 (JR), Rare Millesimé 2008 displays an “initial explosion of power”, whilst knitting seamlessly with a palate of “lacy mousse and flavors of cassis, toasted brioche”. William Kelley even confidently expects this to drink well into the mid-2040s.
An expressive buttered brioche nose, gun smoke reduction, red fruit and toasted almond and pistachio notes. This very precise and elegant Champagne has a piercing acidity that underscores the long finish of lime zest, quince and apple.
Reviewer Name: International Wine & Spirit Competition
Review Date: 19th May 2021
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. 2,000 cases imported.
Reviewer Name: Alison Napjus
Review Date: 15th December 2020
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.
Drinking Window: 2021 - 2028
Reviewer Name: Simon Field MW, Adam Bednarski, Tim Hall
Review Date: 1st October 2021
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.
Reviewer Name: Roger Voss
Review Date: 12th January 2021
Brilliant pale coppery colour. Mmmm! So concentrated and heady with a huge array of aromas including, amazingly, coconut – but not in a tarty way. Masses of tense lime fruit aromas. Very dense nose. Lifted and refreshing and this seems much more youthful than12 years old. It does rather remind me of Dom Pérignon with its concentration and density but I don't suppose that comment will necessarily be welcome with the winemaker. It's just so electric in texture. Truly an exciting, luxurious champagne.
Reviewer Name: Jancis Robinson
Review Date: 18th March 2021
The newly released 2008 Brut Cuvée Rare is very promising, unwinding in the glass with a youthfully reserved nose of citrus oil, crisp green apple, freshly baked bread, iodine and oyster shell, as well as some rather herbaceous characteristics that depress my score a little, even if I suspect that they will resolve with a bit more bottle age. Medium to full-bodied, incisive and tightly wound, if the 2006 vintage was gourmand and demonstrative, the 2008 is slower to show all its cards. Built around racy acids and complemented by a pillowy mousse, this rendition of Cuvée Rare will reward a few years more on cork.
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2045
Reviewer Name: William Kelley
Review Date: 17th September 2021