CharlesHeidsieckBlancdesMillenairesBlancdeBlancs2004

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.rrWeather:The 2004 vintage saw an initial winter of mild temperatures with intermittent storms and hail. The spring and summer months were hot and sunny and the sugar levels late in September produced good quality fruits.A huge harvest in general for the region. Overall many experts believe that 2004 is one of the greatest vintages of the last two decades.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: Grand Cru | Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger & 1er Cru VertusrGrape Varieties: 100% ChardonnayrAgeing: 11.5 years on the leesrDisgorged: November 2016rDosage: 9 g/lrCork: Mytik Diam Technological rDrink: Now to 2030rrTasting Note: A light golden colour with initial rich apple notes on the nose. The palate is light and delicate with caramel and hints of spice. The texture is rich with a chalky mouthfeel. Plenty of orchard fruits and plum. Pineapple hints right through to a long lingering finish. Stunning.