Over the past 48 years, Rare Champagne has only released 16 prestige cuvées across 14 vintages across Brut and Rosé. Rare Brut Millésime 2012 is the 13^th iteration of its kind. For the first time in history, Rare Champagne is releasing a wine out of sequence, whereby Brut Millésime 2013 was released (June 2023) before Rare Brut Millésime 2012. This is a testament to the resolute dedication to quality at Rare Champagne, with each wine released only when it is truly ready.

Florens-Louis Heidsieck sought to make a ‘cuvée worthy of a Queen’ and in 1785 he presented his first prestige cuvée to Marie-Antoinette in Versailles. A century later, Pierre-Karl Fabergé (then, Tsar Alexander III’s jeweller) sketched an opulent, bejewelled bottle for the house. Today, Rare’s unique bottle shape and gold casing is a tribute to its royal beginnings.

100 points - “One of the best 2012s released…Precise on every level. Haute couture. Sophisticated. What a great Champagne can be”
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
 
97 points - “Stunning”
Decanter World Wine Awards, Decanter.com
 
96 points - “An evolved and layered Champagne…. Silky finish”
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com
 
96 points - “Immensely youthful, captured with brilliantly pure fruit and lasting expression”
Anne Krebiehl MW,  Vinous.com
 
96 points - “A graceful Champagne”
Alison Napjus,  WineSpectator.com
 
96 points - “What strikes most is the gliding, satin-smooth mousse and effortless length”
Tom Hewson,  Decanter.com
 
95+ points - “One of the greatest hits from Rare Champagne”
Kristaps Karklins, RobertParker.com
 
95 points - “A stylish, impressive Champagne”
Roger Voss, WineEnthusiast.com

Rare Brut Millésime 2012 is made of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, sourced across seven Grands Crus and three Premiers Crus villages.  The Chardonnay was selected from vineyards including Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Chouilly and Avize. While the Pinot Noir was sourced from vineyards including Verzy , Verzenay, Ambonnay, Bouzy and Tauxières. After the alcoholic fermentation, the wine also underwent full malolactic fermentation. The Brut Millésime 2012 was aged on lees for ten years before disgorgement in November 2023, followed by another year under cork before release. Dosage 8g/L.

In 2022, Rare Champagne was one of the first Champagne houses, alongside Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck, to achieve B-Corp Certification, highlighting an ongoing commitment to improving both their social and environmental impact on the planet.

Available to order. Usually available in 2-3 weeks