CharlesHeidsieckLaCollectionCrayeresMisenCave2000NV

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.rrThis bottle of NV or as Charles call them “mis en caveâ€?part of Charles Heidsieck Collection Crayeres, a second late release of vintages direct from their cellars in Reims in November 2020. The releases are very limited quantities & a perfect chance to buy & enjoy champagne with age in its very best condition. This is the fourth time of an annual “Collection Crayeresâ€?release & honours five of the oldest vintage & non-vintages & showcases their exceptional capacity for withstanding time, their incredible aromatic opulence capacity & their structure after several decades of cellaring.rrMis en Cave is a name for the concept of NV the “Charles wayâ€?whereby the Champagne is ‘laid in cellarâ€?in the spring after the harvest. Charles Heidsieck have released several bottles Mis en Cave 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2008 Each of these bottles contains the non-vintage wine with the base vintage of the year before. Mis en Cave 1987 is the same as saying it is a NV from the dominant vintage 1986!rrWeather in 1999: Following severe November frosts, winter was a combination of rain, snow, cold and cloud, but also bursts of mild, sunny weather. Spring showed almost as many contrasts, with snow on April 14th, then warm weather between April 25th and 30th. This led to a fine flowering period. By the end of August, the harvest looked very promising and despite some rains, the harvest produced plenty of heavy and healthy bunches. rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand & Premier CrurGrape Varieties: 41% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 19% MeunierrDisgorged: 2006rMis En Cave: 2000 or base vintage 1999rLees Ageing: 6 YearsrDrink: Now to 2035rrTasting Note: Golden glints of green. Toasted notes with aromas of ripe fruits, generous spices throughout the mid-palate and peppery notes. rrYou can see the full Mis en Cave Trio here