Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Reserve

The depth of resonant complexity that embodies the expansive universe of Charles Heidsieck is encapsulated to grand effect in the 2018 base. The pristine fruit of this voluptuous vintage plays to the mood of Charles, beautifully captured in white peach, fig and baked apple. This is magnificently set against a gorgeous and complex backdrop of deep reserve complexity in powerful mixed spice, fruit mince spice and crème brûlée. It concludes in a fantastic fanfare that sensitively harmonises crystalline chalk minerality, intricately balanced acidity, perfectly honeyed dosage and just the right clip of phenolic texture. Masterfully crafted, and a grand testimony to Cyril Brun’s talent.

92P+: The Charles Heidsieck NV Brut Réserve is elaborated with 150 different wines from most of 60 crus. This is a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier with 50% of reserve wines. Disgorged in 2022 with a dosage of nine grams per liter, it has a delicate bouquet with aromas of orchard fruit, apricot, warm biscuits, praline, pastry and lemon hints. Medium to full-bodied, creamy and fleshy, the palate is charming with lively acids and a chalky finish. It’s approachable now but also evolving with grace.

Charles Heidsieck’s signature cuvée, the Brut Réserve NV, is a blend of 40% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay largely Grand and Premier Cru fruit, with 20% of Pinot Meunier. The “signature” element is the high percentage of reserve wines in this non-vintage cuvée; 52% is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reserve wines that range from 12 to 23 years old, and the 48% balance is from the 2018 base vintage fermented in stainless steel, with 8-9% fermented in barrel. It is aged for 4 years and has a nine gram per liter dosage. A lovely, light golden color, it opens with notes of crème brulé and light toast that accent underlying lemon cream and white peach aromas. The light to medium-bodied palate is textured and supple with a fresh, lemony acid line spun around a rich core of honeyed stone fruit. The reserve wines lend complexity and discrete power to the long, refreshing finish. A sophisticated NV cuvée throughout.

A creamy and silky champagne that has notes of lemons, pastries and apple compote on the nose. It’s medium-bodied and layered with fine bubbles and tasty pastry notes on the fresh, balanced finish.

Rund, behagelig ligefrem, med bløde kanter, strejf af smør, brioche og mandel, frisk syre til sidst. Ret kompleks sag, sammenstukket af 150 forskellige vine fra 60 forskellige crus, ret fornem blandingskunst her.

Som altid smager Charles Heidsieck bare som det skal. Umådelig lækker næse med strejf af Toffifee belagt med lidt ristede mandler og et viff af æble, våd kelim, citrus og gær. Dejlig slank i stil med masser af viril syre, der springer flik-flak på tungen. Rigtig flot koncentration og dybde. Mums med mums på toppen.

Det klassiske hus Heidsieck er et af de bedste, når det kommer til non-vintage- her får du virkelig Champagne for alle pengene og til en pris, hvor de fleste kan være med. Denne er sammensat af de klassiske druer fra forskellige Grand Cru og Premier Gru marker. I næsen har den en skøn friskhed med duft af citrus, grønne æbler, abrikos, hasselnødder og brioche. I munden er den frisk og cremet med en skøn balance mellem syre og frugtsødme.