Description
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV
Charles Heidsieck is the Champagne house for those in-the-know. Ultra-stylish in terms of both their wine and their appearance, there is something about Heidsieck that sings class. Their wines are renowned for their richness and intensity and the flagship wines stand shoulder to shoulder with the greatest prestiges cuvées in Champagne. Greedily sought by collectors and discerning drinkers alike, Charles Heidsieck is one to seek out.
One of the best value grandes marques on the market, a blend of 60 crus, with roughly a third each of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay, vinified individually by cru and variety, in stainless steel. Compared to other grandes marques, it is high (40%) in reserve wines, averaging 10 years old and dating back to 1990. Quite a floral style with lemon sherbet intensity and bready, leesy characters. It has great concentration and complexity, with a lovely grip of acidity on the finish.
Based on the 2016 vintage. 40% Pinot Noir, 19% Pinot Meunier, 41% Chardonnay. Dosage 10 g/l. This is the first MEC that has some oak influence: 6% barrel-aged for texture. 46% reserve wine, the oldest is Cramant 1996. Average age of reserve wines is 10 years. Disgorged January 2020 and the first vintage to be bottled using the jetting technique and Diam Mytik closure. Full malo as on all these wines, though current winemaker Cyril Brun is keeping some no-malo reserve wines as a weapon against climate change.
Subtle lemony nose. Stony, too, with the merest hint of white blossom, holds up really well in the glass. The smoky, reductive character is very slight but highlights the mineral/stony aspect. The citrus fruit and peel are ripe but there is masses of tension. The mousse is fine and gentle and also lasts really well in the glass. Becomes a little more toasty with air. Deep yet extremely refined, pulling in to a precise finish.
Origin:France
Type:Champagne
Grapes:41% Chardonnary, 40% Pinot Noir & 19% Pinot Meunier
Alcohol:12 %
Bottle Size:750ml