Piper Heidsieck Rare Rose Millesime 2014

Rare Rose Millesime 2014 sweeps you up in a whirlwind of aromas. Fourth rosé vintage of the house, the wine’s sensory eccentricity enhances the expressive palette of Rare Champagne. A talkative wine whose unbridled energy reveals itself immediately, this rosé vintage later reveals a tender, fragrant intensity, both floral and spiced.

The wine’s incredibly dense, coppery rose gold colour anticipates the richness and depth of its bouquet. The bubbles are very subtle.  Rare Rose Millesime 2014 displays its extraordinary personality from the first nose. After strong aromas of red and dark fruits - wild strawberry, black cherry, blackberry - and blood orange, on the second nose, musk, apricot and candied orange covered in dark chocolate come together, simultaneously revealing a hint of candied fruit and chocolate, violet, rose, and guava. Finally, spiced aromas - star anise and pepper - emerge, complemented by a touch of kirsch and brioche.

The nose lingers on the palate, thanks in particular to the violet and red fruits. The attack is succulent and fiery in its concentration. Pomegranate, Morello cherry and dried flowers assert themselves. Notes of strawberry tart and crème patissiere then characterize the generous, velvety flavour. Rare Rose Millesime 2014 finishes with a powerful, swirling, vinous tension, worthy of a fine dining champagne: chocolate, pink peppercorns and kirsch bloom on the palate. A wonderfully long, positive bitterness rounds off the tasting of this eccentric vintage.

97 Points - Wine Spectator

Bursts with vibrant energy as soon as this hits the palate, yet is refined and elegant throughout -- akin to a prima ballerina's marriage of stored power and grace. Reveals a lovely range of strawberry coulis, blood orange granita, raw almond, honeycomb, smoke and chalk notes framed by chiseled acidity and carried on the vivacious, finely detailed mousse. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2038.