Rare Champagne 2012 earns perfect 100-point score
REIMS, France — Rare Champagne, known for its limited production and exclusive approach, has once again proven its mettle with the 2012 vintage, which has earned a perfect 100-point score from renowned wine critic James Suckling. This marks a significant achievement for the house, as the 2012 vintage is recognized for its exceptional quality and character, setting it apart in the world of fine champagne.
In his review, Suckling praised the 2012 vintage, stating, "One of the best 2012s released. This is so fresh and transparent, with superb clarity and brightness. Subtle aromas of mangoes, apples, some pie crust, and crushed stones that follow through to a medium body with a tight palate and an endless finish. Precise on every level. Haute couture. Sophisticated. What a great Champagne can be."
Maud Rabin, Directrice of Rare Champagne, expressed her joy at the recognition, saying, "Receiving a perfect 100-point score from James Suckling is an incredible honor and a meaningful recognition of Rare Millésime 2012. This vintage captures everything we look for in a Champagne: an ode to joy with vivid precision, depth, and complexity, balanced by a radiant freshness and beautiful minerality. After more than a decade of patient aging, it is deeply rewarding to see the 2012 vintage receive this distinction. Its name has never felt more fitting!"
The 2012 vintage was crafted from a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, sourced from select vineyards including Villers Marmery, Vertus, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Chouilly, and Avize for the Chardonnay, and Verzy, Ay, Verzenay, Ambonnay, and Ville-Dommange for the Pinot Noir. Despite a challenging growing season with frost, rainfall, and hailstorms, the weather turned in mid-July, providing ideal conditions for ripening, resulting in a low yield but remarkable quality.
Rare Champagne has a rich history dating back to 1785, when Queen Marie Antoinette tasted the house’s first cuvée. The house is known for its limited production and exclusive offerings, with only 14 vintages released since 1976, including 2002, 2006, 2008, 2013, and 2014. The 2012 vintage, with its perfect score, adds to the house’s legacy of producing unparalleled champagnes.
The wine is now available at select retailers and fine dining establishments nationwide and online, with a suggested retail price of $250. For those seeking to elevate their culinary experience, Rare Millésime 2012 pairs beautifully with a variety of refined dishes, including veal, langoustine, toasted pain de campagne, and poached rhubarb.
This perfect score from James Suckling not only highlights the exceptional quality of the 2012 vintage but also cements Rare Champagne’s reputation as a house that transcends norms and conventions to reveal an unparalleled Champagne.