New Release. Price £475.00. You are entering in the field of haute couture Régis Camus, Cellar Master at Piper-Heidsieck Introduction to Rare: A heat wave like one never seen before struck France in the summer of 1976. Could it be possible to produce a cuvée worthy of the Maison under such conditions? After all, such an extraordinary event could produce an extraordinary cuvée. Thanks to their expertise and creativity, several men skilled in the art of winemaking transcended the disaster and tamed the unbridled natural forces that year to produce a cuvée of exquisite purity. It is known as Rare, in tribute to the events behind its creation. Since then, the Rare years where Nature unleashes its forces, a new cuvée is born. Tasting Notes: Rare Millésime 1999 reveals an eccentricity, a result of extreme weather conditions. During the year, temperatures varied wildly. From May to September, violent hailstorms destroyed a part of vineyards but did not prevent the blossoming of an exceptional champagne. On the palate, its extraverted qualities go hand in hand with a caressing distinction and audacious freshness. Deep-yellow, energetic bubbles dance in an extroverted effervescence. Bewitching scents of tuberose, iris and narcissus lead to notes of mountain hay, soft fruits and accents of black truffle and vanilla. A caressing opulence unveils fleshy notes of herbal tea, Mirabelle plum, bergamot and spices (cinnamon, curcuma, clove) with a lingering aftertaste of candied fruits. Technical Characteristics: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir