There are few prestige ‘Tête de Cuvée’ in Champagne that garner as much scarcity and appeal as Piper’s Cuvée Rare. Proclaimed as “the best year since 1996” by the Wine Spectator, amongst the hundreds of those 2002 vintage Champagnes reviewed, Piper-Heidsieck’s exquisite 2002 Cuvée Rare Brut Millésime ranked 3rd place, just below Krug’s two single vineyard Clos bottlings that retail in the $1,000 - $3,000 per bottle range!

Sparkling crystal-clear yellow gold enlivened by a delicate, shimmering effervescence. Delicate notes of exotic fruit, including mango and kiwi, along with dried fig and almond. A touch of minerals and ground spices. A wine with depth, but also honed with precise harmony. Voluptuously ample with subtle nuances of exotic mint tea, lime, kumquat, and candied ginger. A long, echoing finish. This collectible treasure can easily be cellared until 2035 and beyond! Versatile enough for pairing with anything and everything, while best with nothing but itself.

This Cuvée is so famous that when Piper-Heidsieck became the Official Champagne of the 88th-annual Academy Awards, the award winners received their Oscars and disappeared behind the curtain, where they received a glass of THIS same exact 2002 Rare Millésime to sip, while their names were being etched into their statuette. The inaugural release of Rare was with the mythical 1976 vintage and since, there have only been 8 harvests that were expressive enough to be praiseworthy of this Cuvée. This Champagne from high atop the upper echelons of quality, is fit for Kings and Queens. Treat yourself to this ‘Rare’ indulgence, you deserve it.

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

98 Points – Decanter Asia

97 Points – Wine Spectator “Highly Recommended! A powerhouse, with verve to the finely cut, racy acidity, showing a sense of finesse and seamless integration of the firm frame. 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. The silky texture carries layer upon layer of toasted brioche, currant and pear pâte de fruit flavors, with notes of grated ginger and coconut, cappuccino foam and spun honey. Mineral accents of smoke, ground spice and fleur de sel build on the long, echoing finish. Drink now through 2032.”

95 Points – Wine Advocate “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. Drink 2016-2032.”