Piper Heidsieck Rare 1999 (1.5L)

95 Points, Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator: "A nicely toasty Champagne, with lots of smoke, brioche, lemon peel, honey, dried apricot and roasted nut flavors. Firm acidity provides a lovely freshness and framework, and it's seamlessly integrated with the flavors and refined texture. Features more nut and smoke notes on the long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2024. 150 cases imported." 11/10

94 Points, John Gilman, View from the Cellar: "The 1999 vintage in Champagne is quite a ripe year, and the 1999 Rare reflects the style of the vintage quite faithfully. The bouquet is deep, complex and already showing quite a bit of secondary development in its ripe constellation of apple, peach, leesy tones, blossoming notes of walnut, a nice briny note from the soil, citrus peel and a gently smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite generous and open at the present time, with lovely depth at the core, elegant mousse, impressive and almost surprising mineral drive on the backend and a very long, complex and classy finish. This is a lovely example of the vintage. (Drink between 2014-2035)" 09/14, Issue #53