Charles Heidsieck Champagne Blanc de Blancs

There is a luscious, creamy, juicy and enticing mood to the 2018 base Blanc de Blancs that encapsulates the ravishing mood of Charles and contrasts it emphatically and magnificently with the white-fruited elegance of chardonnay in beautiful layers of white peach, grapefruit and lemon zest. Fine chalk minerality meshes seamlessly with a harmonious interplay between focused acidity and honeyed dosage. Reserves bring depth of crème pâtissière, concluding with magnificent persistence and enticing allure.

Disgorged in 2022, the latest release of the Charles Heidsieck NV Blanc de Blancs is elaborated with 30% of reserve wines, of which 10% to 12% are aged in old barrels. It has a captivating bouquet with aromas of honeysuckle, lemon oil, citrus, peach, tangerine and delicate hints of pastry, followed by a medium to full-bodied, round and creamy, layered and elegant palate that finishes with chalky and brioche notes. A little time in the cellar will be more than profitable.

This is a delicious blanc de blancs that has aromas and flavors of pie crust, poached pears, hazelnuts, toast and spices. It’s silky and rounded on the palate with very soft bubbles. Expressive and long.

The Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs NV is a small production non-vintage wine (less than 10K cases produced) focused on expressing Champagne’s diverse Chardonnay terroirs. The blend is based on 2016 and has 45-50% Cotes des Blancs fruit (mostly Vertus and Oger) with the rest sourced from villages east to south. Much like the Brut Reserve the blend includes 25-30% of reserve wines, though only younger reserves up to 10 years old. It has a delicate, mineral-laced nose with creamy lemon curd and acacia honey notes. The light to medium-bodied palate is very textural with a soft, fine mousse enlivened by assertive acidity that adds considerable freshness to the long, saline finish. Dosgorged October 2022 and finished with nine grams per liter dosage.

A bright yellow color, the NV Champagne Blanc De Blancs Brut is also based on the 2018 vintage and also sees 9 grams per liter dosage. From different terrors around the region for Chardonnay, it opens in the glass to more reserved, delicate aromas of citrus pith, white flowers, and a deeper mineral tone underneath. Juicy and full-bodied, it’s more expressive on the palate, with ripe fresh pear and rounded notes with a creamy texture. It’s very attractive, and although it needs some coaxing on opening, it’s a very attractive ripe and juicy style of Blanc De Blancs with the Heidsieck signature. Drink 2023-2030. Disgorged in 2023.