1982 Piper-Heidsieck Hors-Serie Millesime, Champagne

Piper-Heidsieck's roots trace back to Florens-Louis Heidsieck, who created the original company of Heidsieck & Co. Christian Heidsieck joined the venture alongside Guillaume Piper and once Florens-Louis died in 1828, the duo decided to continue the adventure side by side, founding Champagne Piper-Heidsieck.

In 2021, Piper-Heidsieck launched their new series of Champagne "Hors-Série" and the first release was Vintage 1971. November 2022 saw the release of the next Hors-Série, which is Vintage 1982. Hors-Série 1982 has been disgorged in the spring of 2022 after 39 years of storage on lees by current cellar master Emilien Boutillat. The results of the 1982 harvest are considered amongst the most exceptional ever witnessed in the history of Champagne. The grapes grew under steady weather conditions. The results were irreproachable and the harvest abundant! The grapes, all varieties included, were in excellent condition and stood out for their finesse, equilibrium and grandeur, hallmarks of a great year in Champagne.

Émilien Boutillat stays true to the Hors-Série spirit of offering a unique and unexpected tasting experience. A bridge between the Piper-Heidsieck history and its modern spirit, Hors-Série 1982 joins the collection. The liqueur de dosage, crafted from 1982 vintage magnums, respects the personality and balance of the wine. It has been dosed at 4 grams of sugar per litre, just like the Brut Sauvage 1982. Conducted during the disgorgement on 17th and 18th January 2022, the Extra Brut dosage accentuates the vibrancy, freshness and minerality of the vintage. A blend of 60% Pinot Noir from Verzy in the Montagne de Reims and 40% Chardonnay from Côte des Blancs, the Hors-Série 1982 boasts its own particular personality, forged by 39 years of ageing on lees. This distinctive feature ensures a unique tasting experience and justifies numbering each box. Only 2500 bottles were produced.

With a pale golden robe, the Hors-Série 1982 unveils luscious notes of mirabelle plums, kumquats, dried pineapple, and fresh quince, highlighted by a touch of ginger and bergamot tea. Smoky accents of coffee beans and toast balance out the wine’s minerality.