Rare Millésime Rose

Champagne

Rare Rosé Millésime 2012 expertly balances three distinct families of sensations: floral, fruity and spiced. Combining aromas and freshness, this third vintage rosé from Rare Champagne adds a new dimension to the Maison's style.

Tasting Notes

TO THE EYE: ROSE PETALS AND CHALCEDONY GEMSTONE WITH A HINT OF BLUE
The radiant color of Rare Rosé Millésime 2012, where rose petals meet chalcedony gemstone, is reminiscent of the rose quartz hue of the earlier Rare Rosé Millésime 2008. This harmony is part of Rare Champagne's signature style. There are also gentle hints of blue, which subtly enhance the elegant and joyful bubbles of the champagne.

ON THE NOSE: FLORAL, FRUITY, SPICED. A HARMONY OF CONTRASTS
The first aromas to reach the nose are a perfect balance of florals and fruit. The wine responds to the intensity of cherry blossom with the delicate, tart aromas of forest fruits and lychee. Then, notes of turmeric, ginger, white pepper and citrus begin to develop, and are enhanced by white peach and orange blossom. This is where the floral, fruity and spiced notes come together in perfect harmony.

ON THE PALATE: SPICED FRESHNESS
On the palate, the first sensation is generous and expansive. Aromas of cherry, lychee and ginger intensify on the nose. Simultaneously, the structure of Rare Rosé Millésime 2012 strikes a balance between hot and cold: warm spices such as paprika, Espelette chili, turmeric and pepper give way to a cooling, mineral freshness. The finish, which combines attractive tannins and iodine notes, is the sign of a sophisticated wine with a vibrant salinity.

Sweet tomato and black cherry soup, with goat’s milk ice cream and ground pistachios - Lobster carpaccio, with a duo of gently spiced beetroots - Filet of red mullet, young zucchini, and bouillabaisse sauce - Free-range poultry cooked on the bone, with a jus infused with Reims mustard, vegetables and lime - Spiced forest fruit coulis, with a speculoos biscuit.

WEATHER: UNPREDICTABLE
In 2012, due to frost, hailstorms, rain and high temperatures, flowering was unpredictable in the vineyard. However, the weather eased and provided perfect conditions for the grapes to ripen just before the harvest. Despite a small yield, the year nonetheless revealed a memorable vintage.

Blend: 60% Chardonnay & 40% Pinot Noir

12 Crus of which 8 are classified as Grand Crus and 3 are classified as Premier Crus:
Chardonnay: Villers Marmery, Vertus, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Chouilly, Avize
Pinot Noir: Verzy, Ay, Verzenay, Ambonnay, Ville-Dommange
Red Wine: Les Riceys (8%)

Full malolactic fermentation
Dosage: brut (7g/l)
Time aged on lees: 8 years minimum
Time aged with a cork stopper: 1 year minimum
Aging Potential: Virtuoso up to 2045, phenomenal afterwards

The Rare Rosé Millésime 2008 was awarded 96 points and a gold medal from the 2019 International Wine Challenge.  It was also a trophy winner, procuring the Rosé Champagne Trophy.  Enjoy now or can further age until 2030.

Tasting Notes

TO THE EYE: PEARL PINK
Coppery, almost blue glints merge to give a soft hue of pink quartz. As exquisite as the petals of old roses, elegant bubbles dance in the glass.

ON THE NOSE: SPRINGLIKE AND COMPLEX
The initial nose offers a bouquet of spring flowers. This fragrant elegance quickly increases in complexity and texture. Notes of tangerine, lychee and verbena alternate with hints of syrupy elderberry, of sweet almonds. Freshly picked dark crisp fruit (blackcurrant, blueberry, lingonberry), the nose is generous, heralding a vintage with exceptional potential.

ON THE PALATE: SUBTLE AND MINERAL
Following an attack that is both elegant and generous, the velvety texture unfurls to offer minerality and subtlety. Initially, the exuberant vitality of dark fruits and of citrus is followed by the vibrancy, smoky notes and aromas of star anise and violets. Then the triumphant delicacy expresses a hint of vanilla.

  • Prawn risotto.
  • Braised Black Angus
  • Roast lamp chops
  • Stewed or roasted pigeon
  • Lightly grilled red mullet
  • Grilled lobster
  • Mozzarella di buffala

WEATHER: UNPREDICTABLE
After a mild winter, a dreary spring, a significantly cool summer, the ominous and extremely rainy weather became sunny, dry and almost cold, lasting throughout the harvest.

  • 56% Chardonnay
  • 44% Pinot Noir

  • 96

    points

    Wine Spectator, December 2022

    "Offers aromas and flavors of ripe raspberry and nectarine, brioche and chopped almond, mandarin orange and ground coffee, graphite, star anise and verbena, which are a gorgeous panoply of expression from the fragrant nose through to the finely detailed finish. This vibrant rosé Champagne is well-honed and mouthwatering, wrapping the chiseled frame in a plushly creamy mousse. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2037. From France."

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  • 97

    points

    James Suckling, July 2022

    "Pale salmon-copper color with aromas of raspberries, fresh and dried cherries, rose-water, grapefruit, salted almonds, cloves and white pepper. Silky and vibrant, with very fine bubbles and bright acidity. Beautiful combination of fresh fruit and subtle spice. Lingering, salted yellow-plum notes on the long, elegant finish. Dry. 8% pinot noir red wine from Les Riceys, blended with 40% pinot noir and 60% chardonnay, from 12 different villages. 7g/l. Drink or hold."

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  • 94

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, December 2019

    "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."

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  • 95+

    points

    Wine Advocate, August 2019

    "The 2008 Brut Rosé Cuvée Rare is the second rendition of this cuvée ever produced, and the wine is showing very well, unwinding in the glass with a youthfully shy nose featuring white cherries, blood orange, Meyer lemon, honeysuckle and dried white flowers that offers the promise of considerable complexity to come. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, racy and tight-knit, with good concentration, beautifully integrated acids and a fine mousse, concluding with a long, saline and delicately phenolic finish. This is really quite reserved after its recent disgorgement but should develop beautifully with a few years on cork."

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  • 97

    points

    Wine Spectator, December 2019

    "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. 2,000 cases made, 200 cases imported."

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  • 98+

    points

    Jeb Dunnuck, November 2019

    "The 2008 Champagne Rare Rosé is straight-up sensational. Only the second time they’ve produced this cuvée, 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."

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

2012 Rare Millésime Rosé – Bottle Shot

2012 Rare Millésime Rosé – Tasting Note

Rare Champagne – Awards & Medals

Rare 2006 Brut & 2008 Brut Rose – Wine Enthusiast

Rare 2006 Brut & 2008 Brut Rose – Medals & Trophies

2008 Rare Millésime Rosé – Tasting Note

2008 Rare Millésime Rosé – Bottle Shot