Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs

Champagne

Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs is a wine with a unique texture that cannot be described in traditional oenological terms. A Champagne that elicits all the senses and particularly that of touch. Throughout this cuvée, two of the House’s areas of expertise come together: the production of great wines and the art of blending a large selection of chardonnay wines from different years and terroirs.

Tasting Notes

EYE: Pale, crystalline gold with the typical glints of the Chardonnay varietal.

NOSE: The aromas of mature Chardonnay can be recognised initially: white peach, candied citrus with notes of lime, honeysuckle and fresh hazelnut, giving way to subtle hints of tangerine and lemon.

PALATE: Freshness and tautness mark this typically Charles generosity: the attack is pure and forthright, not aggressive with a surprising suavity for a Blanc de Blancs and emblematic of the maturation of wines in two thousand-year-old chalk cellars.

The Chardonnay from this Blanc de Blancs offers a bold attack and a balanced finish, surprising for its minerality. This salinity and elegant tautness make for a perfect pairing with seafood dishes or creamy cheeses that will contrast nicely with its vivacity.

FROM THE SEA: Carpaccio of scallops with citrus fruits, Oysters of St Vaast n°2, Arctic char with tarragon, Sashimi of sea bream with yuzu zest, Ceviche of mahi-mahi with pineapple and mango, Alaskan king crab legs with green curry mayonnaise

CHEESES: Young Pecorino, Young Ossau Iraty, Herbs cheeses

VINIFICATION: Cru by cru, varietal by varietal, in stainless steel vats 10 to 15% of wine vinified in old Burgundy oak barrels

DOSAGE: Appropriate 8 g/l

A velvety effervescence thanks to 25% of reserve wines with an average age of 5 years. Prolonged ageing of between 3 to 4 years in cellars, far beyond the the norms of the region,

BLEND: 100% Chardonnay
CELLARING: Drink now until 2030

10 crus of Chardonnay, the most sought-after grapes in the region. A majority of grapes from the Côte des Blancs (Oger and Vertus account for 50%), complemented by crus from the Montagne de Reims, the Sézannais and the Aube: Villers-Marmery, Trépail, Vaudemange and Montgueux. Juices exclusively from the first press.

  • 91

    points

    Jeb Dunnuck, November 2022

    "The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs is refreshing with pure green apple, candied lime, and white flowers. It has a delicate mousse, with fresh lemon, ripe pear, and wet stone. Classic and refreshing, with a chalky feel on the finish, it is straightforward and elegant in its style. Drink 2022-2030."

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  • 91

    points

    Wine Advocate, August 2022

    "Based on the 2017 vintage, complemented by some 25% reserve wines, Heidsieck's new NV Blanc de Blancs was disgorged in January 2021 with only two grams per liter dosage. Sourced from the Côte de Blancs, along with Montgueux (historically a stalking ground for this house), Villers-Marmery and the Sézannais, it offers up aromas of crisp orchard fruit, white flowers and freshly baked bread, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and lively palate that's bright and layered, concluding with a chalky finish."

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  • 91

    points

    Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, November 2018

    "Hints of toast and hazelnut form a rich thread running through the poached pear, plum, preserved lemon and grated ginger flavors of this mouthwatering Champagne, with a satiny bead. Disgorged 2017. Drink now through 2021. 90 cases imported"

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  • 92

    points

    James Suckling, November 2021

    "Attractive white-flower and ripe-lemon aromas are married to an elegant, medium-bodied palate, where the creaminess is neatly underlined by the mousse, the lively acidity making the chalky and saline finish very clean and straight. The cuvée is based on the 2016 vintage and this fine Blanc de Blancs was disgorged in 2021. Drink now."

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  • 92

    points

    Wine Advocate, April 2019

    "This release of Charles Heidsieck's NV Blanc de Blancs was disgorged in 2017 with ten grams per liter dosage and is based on the 2012 vintage, complemented by 25% of reserve wines. It's a beautiful wine, offering up a classy bouquet of lemon oil, crisp green apple, fresh brioche and pastry cream. On the palate, it's finer-boned and less muscular than the flagship Blanc de Millénaires, with brisk acids, a fine mousse and a delicately chalky finish. While it's drinking well today, I expect it to take on more complexity and depth with further time on the cork. This is a precise but charming blanc de blancs that's a welcome addition to the Charles Heidsieck portfolio."

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  • 92

    points

    Wine Advocate, August 2019

    "Based on the 2012 vintage, the latest rendition of Heidsieck's NV Blanc de Blancs incorporates some 20% reserve wines, derived from younger vintages to emphasize what Cyril Brun described as the "youthful" side of Chardonnay, in contrast to the mature expression of that cépage offered by the house's Blanc de Millénaires. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, white flowers, green apple and walnut oil, complemented by some of the empyreumatic nuances so typical of the base vintage, it's a medium to full-bodied, elegantly textural and incisive wine that's lively and inviting. It was disgorged last year with nine grams per liter dosage."

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  • 92

    points

    Wine Spectator, December 2022

    "Delivers toasty hints of brioche and grilled nuts on the nose, which are rich accents to poached pear, dried white cherry, preserved lemon and candied ginger flavors that are finely meshed and carried on the satiny mousse. Disgorged 2022. Drink now. 235 cases imported."

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  • 92

    points

    Wine Spectator, November 2020

    "Aromatic with hints of lemon blossom and spice, this graceful Champagne is fine and creamy in texture. Lightly mouthwatering and well-knit, with flavors of nectarine, toast, star anise and candied ginger. Disgorged 2019. Drink now through 2025. 105 cases imported."

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  • 94

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, December 2020

    "Editor's Choice. Fruit from the Côte des Blancs weaves its usual magic of minerality and a tense texture. That combines with touch of toastiness, the ripe citrus fruits and the wine's great balance. This is a beautiful Champagne, ready to drink."

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  • 94

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, December 2022

    "This Chardonnay-based Champagne from the Côte des Blancs is perfumed, fragrant. The citrus edge and minerality are in harmony, bringing together a wine that is taut, textured and ready to drink."

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs – 94 points – Wine Spectator & Wine Enthusiast – Sell Sheet

Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs – 94 points, Top 100 – Wine Enthusiast, December 2022 – Sell Sheet

Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs – 92 points – James Suckling, November 2021 – Sell Sheet

Charles Heidsieck – Blanc de Blancs – Label

Charles Heidsieck – Blanc de Blancs – Tasting Notes

Charles Heidsieck – Blanc de Blancs – Bottle

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