CharlesHeidsieckBrutMillesime2005

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.rrAfter many years ageing in the unique and ancient Crayères acquired by its founder Charles Heidsieck, Brut Millésime reveals itself as a champagne poised between elegance and complexity, with a smooth texture and great length on the palate.rrWeather: The 2005 vintage was a warm weather year without complications. An early heatwave in June encouraged flowering, followed by moderate rainfall throughout summer and another heatwave in early September. The heat and rain developed berries rich in sugar and with high acidity levels, rendering 2005 an ideal year to blend a vintage.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | Chardonnay: Avize, Cramant, Oger, Vertus | Pinot Noir: Ambonnay, MaillyrGrape Varieties: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% ChardonnayrAgeing: 8 years on the leesrDisgorged: Summer 2014rDosage: 10.8 g/lrDrink: Now to 2030rrTasting Note: Golden in colour, this 2005 boasts an expressive nose with hints of hazelnut. On the palate the acidity is immediately apparent: this is rich, fresh and lively. Given a few minutes it opens up into delicious lemony flavours, a characteristic we’ve come to expect from 2005. This is a terrific expression of a difficult vintage.