1982 Piper-Heidsieck Hors Serie
Description
Piper-Heidsieck’s 1982 Hors-Série was handpicked by IWC Sparkling Winemaker of the Year 2021 and 2023 Émilien Boutillat. Kept under original seal on riddling racks in the House’s labyrinthine cellars for 40 years, Boutillat selected a mere 2,500 bottles to disgorge and give an extra brut dosage in January 2022. The resulting wine, from the near-perfect 1982 vintage, is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. It is an ultra-limited and truly special vintage Champagne.
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Tasting Notes
This is showing aromas of ginger snaps, jasmine tea, yellow plums, chamomile and golden pears. Preserved lemons. Fantastic freshness and energy, with lemony acidity from blocked malo. Medium-bodied. So alive, with very fine, very soft bubbles. Long and spicy finish. Hors-Serie is a limited edition collection, a tribute to a former vintage extra brut Champagne (Sauvage) made in the 1980s. 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. Disgorged in January 2022. 4g/L dosage, using specific 1982 liqueur. Delicious now.
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Yohan Castaing, Decanter
More reviews and scores
The second rendition of this late-disgorged cuvée has a lively first nose of candied lemon, hints of lime and smoke, alongside quince, apple and spring flowers; with aeration, notes of almonds and almond flowers come to the fore. On the palate, there is a nervy tension that energises its fine, crystalline texture. This is an upright and elegant Champagne with a mouthwatering, long and airy finish. After some time in the glass, it evolves towards notes of smoke, flint, chalk and vanilla. A sumptuous Champagne, now at its peak, but which could be kept for another five years. Disgorged: January 2002. Dosage: g/L.
For this second edition of Hors-Series special cuvées, chef de cave Emilien Boutillat went through his cellars and found us a gem to drink history by. Hors-Serie 1982 is a long lees-aged, January 2022 disgorged version of the original Piper Vintage. Thus, a blend lead by Pinot Noir from villages like Verzy, Verzenay, Tauxières and Ambonnay complemented by Côte des Blancs Chardonnay. Dosed at 4g/l with magnums of the same wine, the colour is golden but perfectly bright. Fruit shines also on the opulently toasty, deep and elegant nose. Coffee, dried apricots, yellow plums baked peach, cacao, dark spiciness, dried herbs and smoke. The age can be felt more on the palate which nevertheless comes with beautiful acid line and a sappy, juicy quality. A silky wine of mature elegance. Perfect to drink now.