Rare Rosé Millésime

Tatler Champagne Guide 2024-2025

Grape Makeup:

60% Chardonnay; 40% Pinot Noir

Sweetness Level:

Brut

Ageing on Lees:

Eight+ years

Price:

$$$$

Cellar:

Ten+ years

Category:

Collectible

What

The house spun off in 2018, which used to be Piper-Heidsieck’s prestige cuvée and is still led by Piper-Heidsieck's chef de cave Émilien Boutillat.

Where

Reims; typically the wine comes from Chardonnay vineyards in Côte des Blancs Grands Crus Avize, Chouilly and Oger, but Boutillat is also known to be partial to Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims.

Why

If the white Rare is rare, Rare rosé is rarer still, with 2014 only the fourth vintage made. This represents no shy rosé, with a whopping 18% red wine (from Les Riceys, the home of refined rosé in Champagne) and eight years’ lees ageing. This has produced a remarkably characterful elixir, worthy of that gorgeous bottle.

What Else

Though not considered a stellar year overall, 2014 was a split personality vintage with a warm spring, soggy summer and balmy harvest season that drew out the best in Chardonnay and Pinot, the only two grapes that make it into this cuvée.

Tasting Notes

Exquisitely savoury and refined, this has a Tuscan tobacco, vetiver maschile quality layered over bergamot and lemon leaf, all very cologne-like. The palate is immediately taut and disciplined with a slender line of acidity from the Chardonnay overlaid with a firm box of tannin from Pinot. The structure is beautifully suffused with the same aromatics as the nose, with a flinty, cedar yeastiness, hinting at smoky grilled bread on the finish.

Try It With

Smoked duck or other lightly gamey meats

When To Drink

Apéritif or after dinner

Perfect For

Your friend who is VIP at Cartier

Tatler Tip

You can use a fork handle to gently detach the bracelet and use it as a tiara

TL/DR

Cedar, cologne-like and taut

Supplier

Northeast Wines & Spirits