By Rare
Rose Millesime 2008

Winemaker's Note
Adding a rich new facet to the narrative initiated by Rare Rose Millesime 2007, Rare Rose Millesime 2008 is as precise as a Mondrian work. Its decisive mineral texture, full of contrasts, is faceted like a refined quartz. It melds pronounced delicacy with the exacting expressiveness of the blend.

Weather
Unpredictable. A mild, rainy winter, followed by an unpredictable and dreary spring. June was marked by an abrupt drop in temperature, confirmed by a significantly cool summer, which formed the backdrop to the ripening process until August 15. And then, a miracle of nature: the ominous, extremely rainy weather changed radically to become sunny, dry, and almost cold, lasting throughout the harvest in mid-September.

Tasting Notes
Pearl pink. The color of Rare Rose Millesime 2008 is as exquisite as the petals of old roses. Coppery, almost blue glints merge to give a soft hue of pink quartz. Elegant bubbles dance in the glass like a string of pearls. Springlike and complex nose. Confirming the impression of old roses, the initial nose offers a bouquet of spring flowers. This extremely fragrant elegance quickly increases in complexity and texture. Notes of tangerine, lychee, and verbena alternate with hints of syrupy elderberry and the vibrancy of peonies. Freshly picked, dark, crisp fruit (blackcurrant, blueberry, lingonberry) complements the Rare Rose Millesime 2008's olfactory palette. Heralding a vintage with exceptional potential, the nose is generous without being aggressive or overbearing. Subtle and mineral palate. Following an attack that is both elegant and generous, the velvety texture unfurls, offering minerality and subtlety. Initially, the exuberant vitality of dark fruits, such as redcurrant, lingonberry, and wild raspberry, underlined by citrus, stands out with incredible precision. Following this vibrancy, smoky notes and aromas of star anise and violets are released to entice the palate. The grace of Rare Rose Millesime 2008 resembles that of field poppies, which offer an exquisite beauty in their natural setting but cannot bear being plucked. Then the mineral tautness returns, shrouded with a triumphant delicacy, with a hint of vanilla and the light caress of silk chiffon.

Enjoyment
Food Pairing: Prawn risotto, braised or red meat, such as black Angus, roast lamb chops, stewed or roasted pigeon, lightly grilled red mullet, grilled lobster, or mozzarella di Bufala.
Cellaring Potential: Drink until 2030
[Information provided by Rare Champagne]

Wine: 2008 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Rare Rose
Score/Rating: 98+
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2043
Review Date: 11/05/2019
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck  
Tasting Notes: The 2008 Champagne Rare Rose is straight-up sensational. Only the second time they’ve produced this cuvee, it offers a deep, full-bodied, powerful yet chiseled and laser-focused style carrying loads of wild strawberry fruit as well as notes of orange blossom, spice, and crushed rocks. Backward, austere, yet simply loaded with potential, it needs a solid 4-5 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for two decades or more.

Wine: Piper-Heidsieck Brut Rose Champagne Rare 2008
Score/Rating: 97
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink now through 2033
Review Date: 12/15/2019
Reviewed By: Alison Napjus 
Tasting Notes: A vibrant Champagne, ballet-slipper pink in color, featuring intense flavors of nectarine, ripe raspberry, grilled nut, espresso and graphite, with a touch of dried sage, all riding the finely detailed mousse. Like a ballerina, this offers power in a graceful form. A beautiful skein of spice unravels on the lasting finish. Drink now through 2033.

Wine: 2008 Piper-Heidsieck Rare Rose Millesime
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: 2020 - 2035
Review Date: 10/23/2025
Reviewed By: Kristaps Karklins
Tasting Notes: [...] the 2008 Rare Rose Millesime [...] has evolved superbly. It opens with a deep bouquet of red cherry, cranberry and passion fruit, mingling with buttered toast and a hint of rosemary, framed by a deft touch of smoky reduction. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied and elegantly muscular, with excellent concentration underpinned by bright acidity, concluding with a long, toasty finish. Already compelling upon release, it has since gained in depth, standing alongside the 2012 as one of the two most complete and harmonious expressions of Rare Rose to date.

Wine: Rare, Rose, Champagne, France, 2008
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: 2019 - 2030
Review Date: 10/28/2019
Reviewed By: Simon Field MW
Tasting Notes: In the first decade of this century, two years really stand out for Champagne: 2002 and 2008, although many now think that the cooler, more poised 2008 may win out in the end. Described with the two words, ‘precisely gracious’, the 2008 will be the next Blanc release. For the time being we have the fabulous rose to enjoy, which is far lighter than the 2007 and much more refined. Cellar master Regis Camus waxes lyrical, comparing the colour to a ballerina’s pump or even the light filtering through the stained glass of the Basilica in Reims. Lovely evocative comparisons for a lovely, highly accomplished wine. Lychee, verbena and a basket of crisp red fruits all conspire with almonds, nutmeg and soft spice to shape this truly outstanding wine.

Wine: Rare Champagne 2008 Rose Millesime Brut (Champagne)
Score/Rating: 94
Review Date: 12/31/2019
Reviewed By: Roger Voss
Tasting Notes: This intense wine is chock full of red-fruit flavors and beautiful acidity. Still young it has structure as well as swathes of fruit. The concentration of flavors and ability to age further make it a great wine. Drink it ideally from 2022.

Wine: Rare, Rose Brut, Champagne, Champagne, France, 2008
Score/Rating: 93 - Silver
Review Date: 2021
Tasting Notes: Attractive dried fruit, plum, rose and smoky nose. Dry and elegant on the palate. Gastronomic, linear, very poised and refined. Lovely release.

Wine: Rare, Rose 2008 Champagne
Score/Rating: 18/20
Suggested Drinking Window: 2019 - 2028 
Review Date: 02/10/2021
Reviewed By: Jancis Robinson
Tasting Notes: [...] Blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir (including the 13% still red added for colour). A blend of 13 crus (including Chardonnay from Villers-Marmery, Vertus and Montgueux and Pinot Noir from Ay and Verzy). Fermented in tank with full malo. Aged for nine years on the lees and a further two years after the disgorgement in July 2018 with dosage 8 g/l.
Another extraordinary bottle tasted immediately after the Belle Epoque 2012. (I wonder how long we will go on explaining how Rare was spun out of Piper Heidsieck with Regis Camus in charge?) Very bright, pale flame-orange - if that makes sense. Very exciting nose with layers of coconut (if Camus is not insulted by that), broad and rich initially but very lively, bright-fruited finish. Super-clean, refreshing but layered. Really pretty spiffy! Grown-up wine with a dry finish. Thundering, multi-layered finish. This is a wine that commands attention. Though it is a crazy price.