First taste: Piper-Heidsieck’s Hors-Série 1982

Initiated in 2021 with the 1971 vintage, Piper-Heidsieck’s Hors-Série collection unveils its latest opus. For this new rendition, cellar master Emilien Boutillat has set his sights on the 1982 vintage.

Scroll down to see the tasting note and score for Hors-Série 1982

In Champagne , ‘1982 can be compared to 2022,’ says Boutillat. ‘This is a hot, dry year with a delicate, early season. Fortunately, July and August were sufficiently dry and sunny to allow an early maturity, such as was rarely seen in Champagne at that time.’ So, the 1982 vintage can be summarised as having given both quantity and quality thanks to sunny and warm temperatures.

After 39 years in the house cellars (ageing under crown caps), 3,000 bottles were disgorged, with a dosage of 4g/L. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, with ‘an important part of the Pinot Noir sourced from Montagne de Reims,’ added Boutillat. The remaining Pinot Noir grapes were sourced from the villages of Verzy and Verzenay, and the Chardonnay grapes from Trépailles.

At that time, the chef de cave was Claude Demière. ‘The role of the cellar master in those days was very different, but it is appropriate to pay tribute to him,’ said Boutillat. An additional 500 bottles will be offered in a dual box with a bottle of Cuvée Sauvage 1982, the original cuvée from which the Hors-Série is derived.

The bottles of Sauvage were disgorged in 1992 and have 30 years of bottle ageing. By contrast, Hors-Série 1982 was disgorged in January 2022 and aged on the lees for 39 years. This has brought additional texture and amplitude to the acid spine that was already evident in the Sauvage cuvée.

Yohan Castaing rates Hors-Série 1982:

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