CharlesHeidsieckBrutReserveBV16NV

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 Brut Réserve NV contains a blend of 46% reserve wines, with an average age of ten years and spendsthree years ageing on the lees. To achieve the depth and complexity of the House style, Chef de Cave, Cyril Brut sees the reserve wines used in the blending in two categories; 5-10 years old areadded for fruit and freshness, whilst the older reserve wines, 10-20 years old are like spices, added for complexity and intensity and only needed in small quantities.It is this large proportion of mature reserve wines that makes Brut Réserve NV one of the world’s best non-vintage champagnes.rrWe are currently selling Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV based on 2016 harvest, 54% of the blend is from 2016 and 46% are reserve wines, older wines held back for blending into future non-vintage blends. rrWine Competition Trophies:rThe Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships 2016 â€?World Champion Classic Non-Vintage Brut BlendrrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | 60 Crus | Chardonnay: Oger | Pinot Noir: Ambonnay | Meunier: VerneuilrGrape Varieties: 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% MeunierrBase Vintage: 2016rReserve Wine: 46%rLees Ageing: 3 yearsrDisgorged: 2020rDosage: 10 g/lrCork: Mytik Diam TechnologicalrDrink: Now for 10+ yearsrrTasting Note: Pale gold with fine and persistent bubbles, this has wonderfully complex aromas of ripe apricot and almond. On the palate it’s extremely creamy, rich and fresh and also surprisingly nutty â€?likely a consequence of the age and high percentage of reserve wines. This is without doubt one of the best non-vintages around.