Charles Heidsieck is one of the most admired Champagne houses thanks to the unrivalled and consistently high quality of its wines. The current range is one of the most awarded collections of wines in the world. The intricacies of the champagnes complex make-up have been perfected over the years by one of the most celebrated winemaking teams in Champagne between three winemakers they have been awarded Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge fifteen times. This winemaking legacy, paired with the houses flamboyant history since its foundation in 1851 by the man who would become known as Champagne Charlie, makes it a unique offering from Champagne: a house with great, hand-crafted wines, heritage and proven quality.
Charles Heidsieck champagnes
VINEYARDS
The 1995 Blanc des MillØnaires is a blend of Chardonnay from five crus: Cramant for complexity and ageability, Avize for verve and minerality, Oger for creaminess and weight, Mesnil-sur-Oger for balance and Vertus for floral freshness.
VINTAGE
1995 was a fresh and balanced vintage, producing wines of excellent ageing potential. Generally good conditions throughout summer and autumn meant grapes were harvested in prime condition. It was the first universally declared vintage since 1990.
VINTAGE INFORMATION
Vintage: 1995
Grape varieties: 100%
Chardonnay Region: Champagne, France
Winemaker: Thierry Roset
Closure: Natural Cork
Classification: AOC
Alcohol (ABV): 12% vol
Acidity: 6.88 g/l
Residual Sugar: 12.2 g/l
VINIFICATION
After fermentation, the wine is racked to separate the lees and then undergoes malolactic fermentation to soften the natural acidity. After blending the different crus, the wine is bottled and selected yeast added for the second fermentation. The bottles are placed in the cellar at a temperature of 10C, and aged for at least 15 years before release.
TASTING NOTES
Exceptional. This displays all the noble characteristics of mature Chardonnay and its incredible potential for ageing. Pale gold colour with pale green hues. The bouquet is balanced with a richness and distinct pastry aromas expressing full buttery notes, intense cinnamon and vanilla spice. Silky notes of candied apricots, quince and dried fruits, hazelnuts and almonds.
AWARDS
CRITICS CHOICE MEDAL – Sommelier Wine Awards 2014
TROPHY – Decanter World Wine Awards 2014
GOLD OUTSTANDING – IWSC 2013
Top 100 Champagne 2015 – 15th place
VINEYARDS
This millØsime was composed of 11 crus, including the vineyards that form the corner stones of the house style – Oger, Avize, Vertus and Cramant for Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir from Mailly and Ambonnay.
VINTAGE
2005 was a warm year without complications. An early heat wave in June encouraged flowering, there was moderate but sufficient rainfall through summer, followed by another heat wave in early September. Harvest began on the 9th September, giving full, ripe berries. Due to the heat and rain the berries were rich in sugar (for Champagne), and acidity levels were also above average, making it an ideal year to blend a vintage.
VINTAGE INFORMATION
Vintage: 2005
Grape varieties: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Region: Champagne, France
Winemaker: Thierry Roset
Closure: Natural Cork
Classification: AOC
Alcohol (ABV): 12% vol
Acidity: 4.45 g/l
Residual Sugar:10.8 g/
Wine pH: 3.22
VINIFICATION
After the first fermentation the wines were racked to separate the lees and then underwent malolactic fermentation to soften the natural acidity. After blending the two varietals, the cuvØe was bottled and yeast added for second fermentation. The bottles were placed in the cellars in spring 2006, and remained ageing on lees for eight years. After disgorgement and dosage the wine was aged for a further six months before release.
TASTING NOTES
Golden in appearance, on the nose the aromas are autumnal and warm with notes of praline and lightly toasted hazelnuts. The palate is rich, as would be expected from a warm and generous vintage, with intense notes of dried apricots, dates and figs. Full bodied and layered, and lasting on the finish.
VINEYARDS
Charles Heidsieck have built exceptional relationships with the most experienced growers across the Champagne region, and can draw on a rich palette of crus. Precise selection of grapes takes place from 60 specific sites. Vineyards which are integral to producing grapes which build the house style are Oger for Chardonnay for its texture, floral notes and ageing ability, Ambonnay for Pinot Noir for its power, vinosity and fruit, and Verneuil for Pinot Meunier for its acidity, body and aromatics.
VINIFICATION
After the first fermentation in stainless steel, each tank undergoes malolactic fermentation to soften the natural acidity. 40% reserve wines are used in the blend, the maximum permitted, with an average age of 10 years. The blend is bottled and selected yeast added for the second fermentation, then placed in the cellar at a temperature of about 10C. To achieve the depth and complexity required by the house style, Charles Heidsieck age their NonVintage Brut for three years, much longer than the legal requirement of 15 months.
VINTAGE INFORMATION
Vintage: NV
Grape varieties: 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier
Region: Champagne, Prantsusmaa
Winemaker: Thierry Roset
Closure: Natural Cork
Classification: AOC
Alcohol (ABV): 12% vol
Acidity: 6.4 g/l
Residual Sugar: 11.2 g/l
TASTING NOTES
Radiant pale gold with fine, persistent bubbles. Complex pastry aromas, with an opulent combination of ripe apricot, mango and greengages, dried fruits, pistachio and almond. The palate begins with a silky smooth sensation, developing into ripe fleshy apricot, melon and enticing plum pastry notes and delicate spice. A perfect balance of freshness and generosity.
AWARDS
GOLD – Sommelier Wine Awards 2014
BEST IN SHOW – Sommelier Wine Awards 2013
NON VINTAGE TROPHY – International Wine Challenge 2013
Top 100 Champagne 2015 – 3rd place in the NV category, 39th place in the general table
VINEYARDS
Charles Heidsieck benefit from the richness available across the entire Champagne region, having built exceptional relationships with the most experienced growers. They select grapes from 120 crus across the Champagne appellation.
VINTAGE
1999 saw healthy vineyard conditions, after a mild winter. A hot July and August helped vØraison develop well, and havest was carried out in September, which remained sunny and mild. Certain parcels performed very well, particularly with Pinot Noir.
VINTAGE INFORMATION
Vintage: 1999
Grape varieties: 60%, 40% Chardonnay
Region: Champagne, France
Winemaker: Thierry Roset
Closure: Natural Cork
Classification: AOC
Alcohol (ABV): 12% vol
Acidity: 5.35 g/l
Residual Sugar: 11.5 g/l
VINIFICATION
After the first fermentation, the wine is racked to separate the lees and then undergoes malolactic fermentation to soften the natural acidity. 10% of the blend is vinifed as a red wine. After blending, the cuvØe is bottled and selected yeast added to begin the second fermentation. The bottles are placed in the cellar at a temperature of about 10C to age for a minimum of 10 years before release.
TASTING NOTES
Delicate coral hues, with fine, persistent bubbles. Strawberry and raspberry aromas abound along with subtle white pepper, vanilla and sandalwood notes. The palate is infused with strawberry, raspberry and gooseberry, with generous floral notes. The texture recalls the freshness of delicious hibiscus syrup.
AWARDS
TROPHY – International Wine Challenge 2014
SPARKLING ROSE TROPHY – International Wine Challenge 2013
GOLD – Sommelier Wine Awards 2013
Top 100 Champagne 2015 – 5th place!