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Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésimé
Champagne, France
Tasting Notes
Brut Vintage 2018 combines power and finesse while preserving the vibrant freshness and ageing potential that are the hallmarks of Charles Heidsieck. Tasting profile: Juicy & powerful palate; Quince & roasted pineapple, Ripe yellow fruit of peach & apricot, Blackberry jelly, Cocoa & roasted coffee, Gentle bitterness with liquorice.
Food Pairings
Spaghettis Cacio e Pepe (pecorino & black pepper), Suea Rong Hai (also known as Crying tiger beef), Snacked mackerels with tomatoes, thyme and rosemary
Vintage Notes
The 2018 vintage was marked by challenging but ultimately rewarding conditions for Charles Heidsieck. Despite heavy rains and stormy spring weather, followed by a hot, dry summer, the vines were able to thrive. Maturity developed rapidly, and the grapes were healthy, with minimal rot and excellent sanitary conditions. The high yields allowed winemakers to replenish reserves after a difficult 2017, and the resulting wines were fresh, fruity, and elegant.
Harvest Notes
CHARACTER: An early harvest delivering elegant and subtle wines
Winemaking Notes
MATURATION: 5 years of ageing on the lees in the Crayères
Vineyard Notes
SELECTION: A majorityof Grands & Premiers Crus
CRUS: Ambonnay, Tauxières, Vertus, Bouzy, Verzy, Trigny
Technical Info
Blend: 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay
Dosage: 8 g/l
Tasting Notes
TO THE EYE: A beautiful golden robe offers glints of green accentuated by a delicate, dynamic effervescence.
ON THE NOSE: The initial nose introduces intense toasted and smoky notes along with ripe fruit. When swirled in the glass, the nose takes on a heartier dimension with touches of apricot and vineyard peaches. The aromatic concentration, due to a heat wave of several weeks, is reminiscent of the summer sun.
ON THE PALATE: The attack is taut and decisive. the creamy texture, the crisp fruitiness and spiced notes of cinnamon, liquorice and pepper are the hallmark of the House style.
Food Pairings
Tempura shrimp, pigeon and pignolia nut pastilla, or “Katsu” chicken with roasted green asparagus and a touch of aged Balsamic vinegar. Corsican Brocciu, Ossau-Iraty.
Vintage Notes
Some people will not hesitate to compare this vintage to spectacularly hot years like 1995 or 2003. Following an extremely cold winter and spring without any notable impact from frost, the short-lived summer heat waves led to a phenolic maturity that, although late, was much higher than average. The almost autumn-like conditions at the end of the maturation process postponed the harvest to mid-September, and even early October in certain sectors, exceptionally late when compared to harvests in recent Champagne history. Thankfully, rainfall during the harvest came just in time to amend the extraordinarily intense maturity. The juices are accordingly full-bodied and structured.
Vineyard Notes
10 Grands et Premiers Crus – Oger, Vertus, Chouilly, Cuis, Verzy, Aÿ, Ludes, Ambonnay, Tauxières, Avenay
Technical Info
Blend: 57 % Pinot Noir, 43% Chardonnay
Dosage: 9g/l
Tasting Notes
The 2012 vintage is a beautiful pale golden yellow; with fine bubbles that are both delicate and dynamic. Initially, the nose shows subtle toasted and smoked notes with a touch of liquorice and earthy tones. When swirled in the glass, fruity notes of apricot, blackthorn, quince, blueberry and fresh almonds add an extra dimension to the wine. This incredible aromatic concentration, very typical of the year, is the focus of the wine's merit. The palate is mineral and taut with excellent freshness, with notes of quince, vanilla and vineyard peaches on the mid-palate, followed by a firm, crisp finish. An excellent pairing with smoked dishes such as smoked eel, smoked Scamorza, and roast chicken with chicory sauce. A lovely vintage which will continue to develop great complexity and generosity over time.
Vintage Notes
The year 2012 in Champagne - harmony reigns despite trying weather conditions. Some people will not hesitate to compare this vintage to spectacular years like 1990 or 1996, and yet the success of the resulting wines might be considered something of a miracle given the challenges of the year. Nature had us fearing the worst in 2012 when it unleashed a range of climate catastrophes on the vineyards. The spring brought violent attacks of mildew, torrential rains, hailstorms, cold snaps during flowering, followed by heat and water stress that drove yield down by 30%. But a beautiful, sunny summer enabled slow maturing and good concentration in the grapes, resulting in a late harvest. The grapes proved to be of excellent quality: rich in sugar and with good acidity.
Harvest Notes
The year 2012 in Champagne - harmony reigns despite trying weather conditions. Some people will not hesitate to compare this vintage to spectacular years like 1990 or 1996, and yet the success of the resulting wines might be considered something of a miracle given the challenges of the year. Nature had us fearing the worst in 2012 when it unleashed a range of climate catastrophes on the vineyards. The spring brought violent attacks of mildew, torrential rains, hailstorms, cold snaps during flowering, followed by heat and water stress that drove yield down by 30%. But a beautiful, sunny summer enabled slow maturing and good concentration in the grapes, resulting in a late harvest. The grapes proved to be of excellent quality: rich in sugar and with good acidity.
Technical Info
Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay Composed of 10 Grands and Premiers Crus: Oger, Vertus, Chouilly, Cuis, Verzy, Aÿ, Ludes, Ambonnay, Tauxières, Avenay Aged minimum 6 years on the lees. To be enjoyed within 10 years.
Tasting Notes
TO THE EYE: A brilliant golden yellow, scintillating with glints of green and delicate effervescence. ON THE NOSE: The nose is complex with notes of candied citrus and dried fruits, with overtones of pecan and hazelnut. ON THE PALATE: The attack is vivacious and taut before pivoting to a rounder, more generous texture, leading to an iodine tautness and a more pronounced minerality. The long finish expresses a wealth of rich aromas, unfurling notes of caramel and citrus, such as yuzu.
Vintage Notes
The year 2008 in Champagne - A well-balanced year despite cold weather during flowering. The fall was wonderfully fresh and dry in 2008, followed by a rather mild winter, disrupted only by periods of precipitation towards the beginning of spring. In the midst of June, a crucial moment in the flowering, a bitter cold period presented a potential threat to the vines. Worried winegrowers were relieved in mid-September to note the quality of their very best vines. Following a series of unusual years, either in volume or precocity of the harvest, 2008 returned to the Champagne norms. Clement weather during the harvests ensured very healthy, ripe grapes.
Harvest Notes
This marked a return to the “traditional” vintage, following the extremely exuberant Millésime 2006. Precipitation fostered grape development without penalising the accumulation of sugar while the sun’s return at harvest made it possible to pick the grapes with an average potential of 10g/l. The Pinots offer strength and great structure whereas the Chardonnays are precise with a freshness that suggests slow ageing.
Technical Info
Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay Composed of 10 Grands and Premiers Crus: Oger, Vertus, Chouilly, Cuis, Verzy, Aÿ, Ludes, Ambonnay, Tauxières, Avenay Aged 10 years on the lees. To be enjoyed within 10 years.
Tasting Notes
A beautiful deep golden hue shimmering with remarkable brilliance and enhanced by a subtle but dynamic effervescence, the aromatics generously prevail first and foremost with floral notes laced with touches of jasmine and honeysuckle. A cornucopia of fruit ensues with fragrance of white peach, fresh apricot, Mirabelle plum, grapefruit, and yuzu each vying for prominence. When swirled, subtle notes of bergamot, toasted hazelnut, licorice, and freshly-grated coconut offer a magnificent complexity to the multi-dimensional bouquet. A harmony of silky textures of nougat and butter cream complement salinity and minerality. Generous and full-bodied with a rich mouth feel this blend imparts a lasting finish.
Technical Info
Blend: 59% Pinot Noir, 41% Chardonnay Composed of 10 crus including, for the Pinot Noir: Aÿ, Verzy, Tauxières, Rilly, Avenay, Louvois, and Ambonnay; and for the Chardonnay: Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, and Vertus. Aged 9 years on the lees. To be enjoyed within 10 years.
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