Important Notice

By continuing, you agree to our privacy policy, consent to cookies, and confirm you are 21 or older.

I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

YOU MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO CONTINUE

NYC, Long Island and The Hamptons Receive Free Delivery on Orders $300+
Cool Wine Shippers Now Available.

  • Home
  • 2008 Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Rare

2008 Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Rare

97 WS

Availability:

Sokolin Notes:
"This Stands Tall Next to Cristal, Dom Perignon & Krug." - Dave Sokolin

From the critics:

96 JD

95 DEC

93+ RP

Featured Review
Like a stallion out of the gate, this shows an initial explosion of power, in the form of mouthwatering flavors and fine texture, before quickly settling into an elegant gait. The racy acidity is seamlessly knit, buoying the lacy mousse and flavors of cassis, toasted brioche and tangerine, with accents of candied ginger, hazelnut and fleur de sel lingering on the long, creamy finish. Drink now through 2035. 2,000 cases imported. Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator | 97 WS

Critic Reviews

Like a stallion out of the gate, this shows an initial explosion of power, in the form of mouthwatering flavors and fine texture, before quickly settling into an elegant gait. The racy acidity is seamlessly knit, buoying the lacy mousse and flavors of cassis, toasted brioche and tangerine, with accents of candied ginger, hazelnut and fleur de sel lingering on the long, creamy finish. Drink now through 2035. 2,000 cases imported.

Wine Spectator | 97 WS
The 2008 Champagne Rare is luxurious with aromas of graham cracker, honeysuckle, quince, and orange zest. It is round and opulent, with a fine and pillowy mousse, and retains freshness throughout, with apricot and yellow flowers. It is impressive and long, and fully luxurious. Drinking well now, it is sure to hold its own for years to come. Drink 2022-2044.

Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JD
A lively first nose of candied lemon, guava, also a hint of lime. With aeration, notes of almonds and almond flowers come to the fore. On the palate, there is a nervy tension that energises its fine, crystalline texture. This is an upright and elegant Champagne whose long, airy finish is mouthwatering. After some time in the glass, it evolves towards notes of smoke, flint and vanilla. A sumptuous Champagne. Disgorged: November 2019. Dosage: 9g/L. Drinking Window 2021 - 2040.

Decanter | 95 DEC
The newly released 2008 Brut Cuvée Rare is very promising, unwinding in the glass with a youthfully reserved nose of citrus oil, crisp green apple, freshly baked bread, iodine and oyster shell, as well as some rather herbaceous characteristics that depress my score a little, even if I suspect that they will resolve with a bit more bottle age. Medium to full-bodied, incisive and tightly wound, if the 2006 vintage was gourmand and demonstrative, the 2008 is slower to show all its cards. Built around racy acids and complemented by a pillowy mousse, this rendition of Cuvée Rare will reward a few years more on cork.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93+ RP

Wine Details for 2008 Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Rare

Type of Wine Champagne : Nothing like a refreshing, vivacious glass of fine Champagne during a hot summer afternoon. Typically combining Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, each Champagne house has a distinct style. Whether you want to sample a single varietal (such as the 100% Chardonnay blanc de blancs) or a tasteful blend, no region can compete with Champagne.
Varietal Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world.



For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide.



France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity.



France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.



With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region Champagne : The sharp, biting acidity, cutting through the richness; the explosive force that shatters the bubbles as they rise to the surface; the intense flavor and compelling, lively mouthfeel; these are all hallmarks of a good Champagne. Most wines are made from a combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, but there are pure-Chardonnay variants and ones that blend only Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. As a result, most wines come with a feeling of familiarity, if not nostalgia. Each Champagne house has its own unique style, so different bottles of Champagne may not resemble each other outside of the core varietal strengths. The soil composition of the subregion is characterized by belemnite and chalk, which lets it absorb heat during the daytime and release it at night. This terroir helps create the feeling of airy, playful lightness of fine sparkling wine.

These wines were originally marketed towards royalty, and you can feel a hint of that elusive blue-blood elegance and confidence while drinking one. A good Champagne carries you away like a hurricane carries small debris, and you can feel the powerful life force in each bubble even. The characteristic Champagne "pop" has become a staple at parties and celebrations around the globe - when you hear it, good times are right around the corner.
Subregion Reims

Overview

Producer Piper-Heidsieck : Since its inception, Champagne has electrified the market, thrilling consumers around the world with its alluring effervescence. It has long been glorified as the ultimate drink of choice for the royal and affluent alike, even King Louis XIV declaring it, “The wine of kings and the king of wines.” One of the older houses in the region, Piper-Heidsieck, has a long and glorious history, closely interwoven to that of France, playing an integral part in the development and popularization of Champagne. With influential ambassadors, such as Marie Antoinette and Marilyn Monroe, Piper-Heidsieck has become a symbol of high standing, luxury and merriment.

Heidsieck &Cie (its first official name) was founded in 1785 by German emigrant and cloth merchant, Florens-Louis Heidsieck. Driven by a taste for adventure and a particular dream of bedazzling Marie Antoinette, he vowed to make a “wine that smiles” and a “cuvee worthy of a queen.” This came to fruition when his first cuvee was presented to the Queen, to which was love at first sip and she would become the first ambassador of the luxury Champagne, solidifying its reputation among the elite houses in the region.

Florens-Louis’ nephew Christian Heidsieck joined the house in 1800, followed by Christian’s cousin, Henri-Guillaume Piper, in 1815. Upon the death of Florens-Louis in 1828, Christian assumed control of the house while Henri-Guillaume traveled the world to promote and sell the wines. The house became the official purveyor to 14 Royal and Imperial Courts, from Great Britain to China. Sadly, Christian died suddenly in 1835. After a suitably respectful period of mourning, his widow remarried to none other than Henri-Guillaume and the house was renamed Piper-Heidsieck.

Its success continued inevitably throughout the 20th century when it became Hollywood’s favorite. In 1933, Laurel and Hardy film Sons of the Desert marked the very first appearance of champagne in movies with a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck, and it is said that in the 1950s Marilyn Monroe woke each morning with a glass of Piper-Heidsieck. From the Cannes Film Festival to the Oscars, professional wine critics and everyday consumers, its fame and popularity has swelled and today, is among the most well-known Champagne brands in the world and is the most awarded Champagne house of this century.

The house, located in Reims (the unofficial capital of Champagne) owns 80 hectares throughout Champagne cultivating Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and its star grape, Pinot Noir. It also sources grapes from 100 crus from around the region for their blends. Piper-Heidsieck produces around 5 million bottles a year and are recognized for their distinctive gold and red/black label. Its enormous and state of the art winery allows it to maintain the individuality of the crus and their expressions in the blends that are dominated by pinot noir.

The Piper-Heidsieck range includes Cuvee Brut, Cuvee Sublime (demi-sec), Rose Sauvage (brut), Essentiel (extra brut), Essentiel Blanc de Blanc (extra brut) and Piper-Heidsieck Vintage Champagne (brut). Renowned for their structured fruity style, based on the intense use of Pinot Noir, the beautiful wines satisfy both sophisticated and unpretentious drinkers. As winemaker, Emilien Boutillat describes, “complexity without being complicated.” With over 235 years of history, excellence and the perpetuation of traditional Champagne winemaking, the legendary house has become tantamount to celebratory and momentous occasions and a mythical love affair between man and wine.

People also bought:

2002 Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne, Champagne
2002 Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne Champagne
97
RPVM
As low as $329.00
VIEW OPTIONS
2002 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Champagne
2002 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Champagne
99
JS
As low as $429.00
VIEW OPTIONS
N/V Pol Roger Brut, Champagne
N/V Pol Roger Brut Champagne
92
DEC
As low as $35.99
VIEW OPTIONS
N/V Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne
N/V Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne Champagne
91
DEC
As low as $57.95
VIEW OPTIONS
n/v bollinger special cuvee Champagne
N/V Bollinger Special Cuvee Champagne
96
DEC
As low as $78.95
VIEW OPTIONS
n/v veuve clicquot brut Champagne
N/V Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne
94
DEC
As low as $37.99
VIEW OPTIONS
n/v veuve clicquot rose Champagne
N/V Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne
91
JS
As low as $82.95
VIEW OPTIONS
n/v billecart salmon rose Champagne
N/V Billecart Salmon Rose Champagne
94
JD
As low as $84.99
VIEW OPTIONS
N/V Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, Champagne
N/V Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne
94
JH
As low as $1,679.00
VIEW OPTIONS
n/v henriot brut rose Champagne
N/V Henriot Brut Rose Champagne
94
WS
As low as $67.95
VIEW OPTIONS

Need Help Finding the right wine?

Your personal wine consultant will assist you with buying, managing your collection, investing in wine, entertaining and more.

Contact Your Personal Wine Consultant
Footer Logo
Sokolin uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our site, provide necessary website functionality and analyze our traffic. To consent, please continue shopping. Learn more.

©2025 Sokolin LLC ™. All Rights Reserved.

loader
Loading...