CharlesHeidsieckBlancdesMillenairesBlancdeBlancs1990

Of the three Champagne houses named Heidsieck â€?all originating from families once related â€?Charles is the smallest and arguably, the best. Established in 1851 by the nephew of Piper-Heidsieck’s owner, Charles Heidsieck himself was the original ‘Champagne Charlieâ€?In 2011 both Charles Heidsieck and Piper-Heidsieck were bought by EPI Group headed by Christopher Descours, he has provided significant finance for both Houses allowing them to grow their vineyard holdings, grape purchasing and production.Today, production occurs alongside sister company Piper-Heidsieck in an ultra-modern functional wine-making facility on the southern outskirts of Reims. The Charles Heidsieck Cellars are a Unesco World Heritage site and comprise more than eight kilometres of chalk tunnels interlinking forty seven subterranean cathedrals called Crayères, reaching 30 metres high and believed to have been dug out in the 3rd century.rrCharles Heidsieck’s prestige cuvée is a blend of pure Chardonnay from just five different Crus: Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, and Vertus. An absolute masterpiece from the Côte des Blancs, this cuvée spends more than fifteen years maturing in the heart of Charles Heidsieck’s two-thousand-year-old chalk cellars. Such an outstanding creation deserves an exceptional case: the gift box, which mirrors the curves of the crayères cellars after which it is named (Blanc des Millénaires, or ‘White of Milleniaâ€?, echoes the nobility of this location where nothing counts except time itself.rrThis champagne is part of Charles Heidsieck Collection Crayeres, a second late release of vintages direct from their cellars in Reims in October 2018. Only 330 bottles released worldwide.rrWeather: The 1990 vintage experienced some frost damage early in the year, particularly during April. However, a superb summer helped the grapes thrive in their growth. Due to the long days and summer sun combined with cool nights, the grapes had excellent alcohol and acidity levels. The crop was the third largest on record and 1990 produced the ripest wines since 1959. A fantastic vintage.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: Grand Cru | Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger & 1er Cru VertusrGrape Varieties: 100% ChardonnayrDisgorged: 1999rDrink: Now to 2030rrrTasting Note: A deep golden yellow colour with slightly copper glints. The distinctive nose immediately reveals an aroma of Bourguignon. Notes of cocoa, caramel and chocolate develop into a bouquet of earthy and truffle fragrances. It is a generous, full-bodied wine, whose intense richness is enhanced by a subtle hint of bitterness. Peanut butter and earthy notes punctuate the excellent finish of this Blanc des Millénaires.