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Food Pairing

Seafood, Salads, Consommes

Top vintages From 1976 to 2013

2008 ›  99 Tb
2003 ›  98 Tb
2002 ›  97 Tb
2006 ›  96 Tb
1976 ›  96 Tb
1998 ›  95 Tb
1988 ›  95 Tb
2013 ›  95 Tb
1985 ›  95 Tb
1999 ›  92 Tb
Average 96.60 Tb

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Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's 50 best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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The Story

The noble origin of Rare Champagne dates back to a tribute to Marie-Antoinette and expresses its revolutionary spirit fight against the trivialisation of vintages.

Over the last forty years, Rare Champagne has only declared eleven vintages, the most demanding in Champagne, all in limited production.

Since 1976, the House has only released 8 vintages of Rare: 1976, 1979,1985, 1988, 1990, 1998 en Magnum, 1999, 2002, 2006, 2008 and now 201...

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Vintage 2012

The next most exceptional vintage since 2008. A truly difficult growing season saw severe frosts in the winter. March brought warmth but early budbreak made the vines vulnerable to spring frosts. Overall, the early growing season was wet, and mildew became a serious issue. However, conditions improved dramatically in the later summer months. An August heatwave resulted in a rapid accumulation of sugar, but fortunately the nights remained cool,...

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Latest tasting notes

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Written Notes

The 2012 Rare Millésime is a spectacular, broad-shouldered triumph that effortlessly marries flamboyance and muscular power with deep, chiseled precision. In the glass, it commands attention with a deep, shimmering golden hue and a luxurious, exceptionally fine, and gliding satin-smooth mousse.

The bouquet is instantly cerebral, voluptuous, and remarkably multi-dimensional. It opens with a sophisticated touch of smoky reduction and white flowers, which quickly yields to an indulgent wave of roasted pineapple, caramelized sugar, and clementine orange peel. As it breathes, the true impact of its 10+ years of lees aging takes center stage, unfurling rich, warming tertiary layers of buttered brioche, cardamom-dusted walnuts, light licorice, and grilled almonds.

On the palate, the wine delivers immense volume, structure, and texturally rich density. The entry is ample and muscular, flooding the mouth with layers of golden plum fruit, honey, and salted caramel. While it presents an incredibly opulent, cream-and-pastry mid-palate, it is held in masterful tension. A vibrant, racy spine of zesty lemony acidity cuts right through the richness, imparting a brilliant freshness and linear focus. The finish is downright glorious and seemingly endless, tapering into a highly persistent, savory, and clean finale punctuated by a distinctive salty mineral twist.

Drinking Window:

Because of its generous volume and complex layers, this wine needs about 20 minutes of air in a wide-rimmed glass to fully reveal its architecture. It is dangerously drinkable and immensely rewarding today, yet its immaculate phenolic concentration and acidity profile give it the legs to last easily for another two to three decades. Peak drinking window: 2026–2052+


  • 97p
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Information

Origin

Reims, Champagne

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Vintage

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