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Charles Heidsieck Millésime Vintage Brut
Champagne
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.
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.
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.
THE FRUITS OF AN EXCEPTIONAL VINTAGE AND GENEROUS HARVEST, 2005 indisputably revealed itself to be a “Typiquement Charles” year. The decision to make 2005 a vintage year without having released the traditional 2002 or 2004 wines from the region is the audacious decision of a free‑spirited House with a vision as far-reaching as the respect it holds for its reserve wines. The Cellar Master therefore reserved the 2002 and 2004 wines, based on their perfect qualities, to the “central bank” of Charles Heidsieck reserve wines: the House’s ultimate treasure. It is true to say that Charles is always where you least expect him!
Tasting Notes
The deep, reflective gold hue offers a delicate, lively effervescence. An initial voluptuousness with pronounced aromas of blueberry tart and cooked mirabelle plums, followed by the warm autumn notes of candied chestnuts and honey, with a surprising hint of pralines and lightly roasted hazelnuts. The meticulous selection of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay heralds the complex personality of this exceptional vintage. The incredible balance offers the firmness expected of a great champagne as well as an autumnal unctuousness which one might anticipate from the climatic condition offered by this vintage, characterized by generous flavors of roasted apricots, dates and figs which delicately cover the palate. The creamy texture is reminiscent of an almond custard, followed by delicious notes of apricot tart with almonds and whipped cream.
Vintage Notes
The 2005 vintage offered early signs of excellence. The first hand harvesting started on the 9th of September. Optimal conditions reigned over the harvest in terms of quality and quantity, with grapes showing supreme balance in terms of alcohol level and acidity, a promise of freshness. Picking took place in cool, dry and sunny weather. The cool nights also encouraged the development of sugar in the berries. Thanks to the heat and the mid-season rain, the bunches were heavier than average and very rich in sugar with a potential alcohol volume of around 10%. In addition to these good omens, the acidity levels at harvest were higher than average and, as such, ensure good balance and promised an extended aging capacity for this Vintage.
Technical Info
60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay
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