CharlesHeidsieckBrutMillesime2018

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. Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésimé 2018 is a blend of six Grands Crus and Premiers Crus meticulously selected by the House, expressing magnificent minerality, intensity and acidity. This exceptional cuvée was aged for ten years in Gallo-Roman Crayères. True to the Charles Heidsieck style, Millésimé 2018 already displays all the elegance and power of an outstanding vintage, qualities which will only be enhanced with time.rrWeather in 2018: Following a mild and very wet winter, spring temperatures were well above seasonal norms, allowing the vines to develop. Then, the warm, dry summer allowed the grapes to ripen quickly with extraordinary quality and quantity. The 2018 harvest came early, producing wines of remarkable fruitiness and elegance.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | Ambonnay, Tauxières, Vertus, Bouzy, Verzy & TrignyrGrape Varieties: 55% Pinot Noir & 45% Chardonnay rLees Ageing: 6 yearsrDisgorged: April 2024rDosage: 8 g/lrCork: Mytik Diam TechnologicalrDrink: Now to mid 2030’srrTasting Note: With the slight dominance of PN in the blend you see those rich yellow stone fruit like apricot and peach and behind this those CH fruits, lemon, grapefruit and hints or charred pineapple add depth to the palate. Key components like Chardonnay from Trigny and Pinot Noir from the cooler growing village of Tauxières bring that freshness from acidity to a year that was otherwise hot, producing lower acidity champagnes. Great richness and texture to the palate give us confidence this will be age worthy. â€?Tasted by Nick Baker TFB FounderrrWatch Nick Baker & Elise Losfelt’s video tasting review of this champagne here.