AUSTRALIA WIDE SHIPPING INCLUDED
‘The idea of Rare, as its name says, is to produce limited quantities in singular and exceptional vintages,’ said Émilien Boutillat, chief winemaker Rare. The 2013 vintage is only the 13th release of Rare since the debut of this prestige cuvée from the 1976 vintage in 1985. ‘It is rare because of the quantity, of the frequency and the singularity of each vintage that we produce’
Vineyards: 11 Crus – 79% Grand Cru & 21% Premier Cru. Chardonnay: Avize, Oger, Villers- Marmery, Vaudemanges, Verzy, Ambonnay, Chouilly & Montgueux. Pinot Noir: Verzy, Verzenay, Ambonnay, Bouzy & Tauxieres
Vintage: 2013
Blend: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir Lees Ageing: 8 years
Disgorgement Date: Spring 2022 Dosage: 9g/L
2013 was characterised by a particularly late growing cycle. The never-ending winter was followed by a very cool, late spring. It wasn’t until the start of July before flowering began – something we hadn’t seen in Champagne for quite some time! Fortunately, summer was glorious with plenty of sunshine, record temperatures and very low rainfall, ideal for the ripening of the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. The temperatures were cool for the October harvest and the resulting wines are elegant and fresh – the signs of a “classic” vintage.
Rare Millésime 2013 expresses the house’s signature-blending minerality with a tropical twist-in two stages. Despite its initially reserved appearance, this vintage unfurls delicious notes of pastries and spices in a saline tension that is both noble and full-bodied.
To the eye: intensely bright
The effervescence of Rare Millésime 2013 is tinged with an intensely bright, light golden colour.
On the nose: floral and spiced
The nose, at first subtle and clean, emerges in two stages combining tonicity and elegance. It all begins with the delicacy of white flowers, a hint of black tea and touches of citrus, kiwi and kumquat. Then, notes of lime blossom, green tea and fern give way to aromas of white fruits such as greengage plums. Touches of chestnut honey, sweet spices, vanilla and marzipan round off the wine’s rich bouquet.
On the palate: aromatic and smoky
The two facets of Rare Millésime 2013 are confirmed in the mouth: smooth and vibrant, indulgent and dynamic. After hints of meringue, whipped cream and marzipan, kumquat, blood orange and kiwi then provide a refreshing tonicity. On the finish, the comforting texture of Rare Millésime 2013 appears as an aromatic and smoky indulgence punctuated by a freshness and a subtle bitterness.
Rare Champagne’s iconic signature of tropic minerality is expressed differently in Rare Millésime 2013, extended by a plump and prolonged aftertaste.
95 Points, Wine Spectator
“An elegant, finessed Champagne, with the creamy mousse carrying a finely meshed yet concentrated range of blackberry puree and poached apricot flavors, plus blood orange peel, salted pistachio and aromatic accents of verbena, chalk and oyster shell. Shows mouthwatering acidity that carries the complex profile on the long finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2038.”
– Alison Napjus, September 2023
More Wine Reviews:
“Such a pleasingly elegant and multifaceted Champagne with salty, creamy and toasty elements all wound together. Plenty of apricot pastries, pears, brown butter, fennel and salted almonds, with some iodine. It’s silky on the palate, with soft and supple bubbles, while remaining fresh and on edge. 70% chardonnay and 30% pinot noir, from 11 cru villages mostly in Montagne de Reims with Cotes de Blancs”. Disgorged December 2022. 9 g/L dosage. 96 – James Suckling, May 2023
“The 2013 vintage is so very Rare, so pure. True to the classical Rare recipe its Chardonnay origins include a luxurious amount of Villers-Marmery and Côte de Blancs Grand Cru fruit, without forgetting the all-important ‘spice’ of Montgueux. The Pinot Noir mix plays with the cool verticality of Verzy and Verzenay, but on a crisp year like this more generosity was lent from for example plush Ambonnay and Bouzy fruit. Intense, shiny bright lemon-green colour.” Champagne expert Essi Avellan MW
“The nose opens with an initial whiff of creaminess, followed by hints of creamy polenta and tart yet aromatic citrus and chalk. The palate is immediately striking with saltiness and savouriness. The foam is rich and tiny bubbles burst, releasing the citric charm of lemon and white grapefruit. There is something driven, vertical and precise on the taut body, softened by that creamy generosity and subtle oyster shell appeal of the mousse. The finish holds a delicious frisson of white pepper and grapefruit zest spice. A very straight-laced wine for now that will unfold in its long future” – Anne Krebiehl MW , Decanter.com June 2023
“With its combination 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, it’s the sensation of super-fine, aromatic Chardonnay that leads Rare in 2013, with yellow apple, roasted citrus and pineapple aromas focused into a sleek, tightly packed frame. There’s some complex oyster shell lift and zesty lime tart intensity, the mousse sleek and silky, the length compelling. Less overtly tense and acid-driven than the 2008, yet with more energy and detail than the 2012, this is a very fine release that should enjoy a considerable lifespan. Fermented in stainless steel, with eight years on lees. A notable percentage of the Chardonnay comes from the Montagne de Reims” – Drinking Window: 2026 – 2040 ; Tom Hewson , Decanter.com June 2023
