Description
Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires Blanc de Blancs 1995
Fruit of centuries of labor and uncompromising choices of Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires. Alliance between great Chardonnay and extreme care in production, 2022 marks the 7th release of the Blanc des Millenaires. Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires A pioneer in the crafting of these blends made entirely from Chardonnay, Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires took an interest in this category very early on, at a time when they were still on the fringes. This legendary wine takes its place in the progress of time, slowly revealing itself and remaining in our memories on Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires.
Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires 1995
Of the three Champagne houses named Heidsieck – all originating from families once related – 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 Charlie’. Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
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 to produce Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
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 and Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
Charles Heidsieck’s prestige cuvée is a blend of pure Chardonnay from just five different Crus: Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger and Vertus, Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires. 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.
Weather: The 1995 harvest was a large crop and shared similar characteristics with the renowned 1998. Following four consecutive years of tough growing conditions, 1995 came as a huge relief to the region – the first universally declared vintage since 1990. The summer was mainly hot, with some showers a few weeks before the harvest. Now, over twenty years since bottling, champagne from 1995 are starting to show flavours of incredibly complex, rich and concentrated fruits. Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
Technical Information: Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
Vineyards: Grand Cru | Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger & 1er Cru Vertus
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Ageing: 15 years on the lees
Disgorged: Spring 2014
Dosage: 12.2 g/l
Drink: Now to 2029
Tasting Note Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires: A rich golden colour, the bouquet expresses buttery and vanilla aromas. The palate is rich and complex with notes of pineapple and ripe white fruit flavour. This tastes surprisingly young, displaying all the characteristics of a mature Chardonnay and has incredible potential for ageing. Simply exceptional! Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 1995 is a seriously voluptuous champagne.
Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires History
Of the three Champagne houses named Heidsieck – all originating from families once related – 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 Charlie’. He gained the nickname during his travels around America in the mid-19th Century – a country whose introduction to Champagne is credited to Charles. Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
In 1976 the hugely under-forming Charles business was bought by Joseph Henriot of Champagne Henriot, the same year he installed his chef de cave, Daniel Thibault who within three years had created Champagne Charlie with in inaugural 1979 vintage, followed by 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985. For nine years Charles Heidseick thrived again, however, in 1985 Rémy Cointreau, purchased Charles and during the next 25 years the focus was shifted away from prestige cuvee champagne because Krug was also in the same ownership. Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
It took until 2011 before Charles was again loved, when Charles Heidsieck and Piper-Heidsieck were bought by Christopher Descours of EPI Group. His vision saw investment for growth in vineyard holdings, grape purchasing and production. After decades of decline the brands are again growing with quality now back at the top of their agenda. Today, the wines are made alongside sister company Piper-Heidsieck in an ultra-modern wine-making facility on the outskirts of Reims.
Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires champagnes have a rich history of being served at various infamous events; it was the chosen Champagne of the European royalty in the late 1800s; a photograph from Robert Falcon Scott’s fated expedition to Antarctica shows the party drinking Charles Heidsieck at their Christmas dinner; in 1977 the house produced a special vintage for the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and in 1981 a ‘Royal Wedding Cuvée’ was served to celebrate the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
On March 1, 2023, Elise Losfelt became the Cellar Manager of Charles-Heidsieck. She replaces Cyril Brun who joined Charles Heidsieck in April 2015 to succeed Thierry Roset. Elise Losfelt, 36, has been dedicated to champagne for 10 years, through various positions held at Moët & Chandon. She will carry the vision of the Charles style in the next blends, guaranteeing the unique typicity of the House’s wines. Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
Cellar Master: Elise Losfelt
Winery Location: Reims | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Montagne de Reims
Annual Production (bottles): 1,800,000
Chef de Cave History at Champagne Charles Heidsieck:
Elise Losfelt – March 2023 to current and
Cyril Brun – April 2015 to April 2023 Cyril re-engineered & re-launched Champagne Charlie some 37 years after its initial launch and shifted the blend of Brut Reserve to using a touch of oak which allowed CH to continue with its growth plans. Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
Thierry Roset – 2012 to 2014 Recruited by Daniel Thibault in 1988 as his deputy and in 2003 after Daniel passed away he became a full time member of Regis’s winemaking team leading to him creating the “new Charles style” from 2007. His last “big task” was to oversee the smooth transition in winemaking when ownership shifted from Remy Cointreau to the EPI Group.
Regis Camus – Chef de Cave 2002 to 2012 Regis began at Charles Heidsieck in 1995 where he was assistant to Daniel Thibault and won 8-times “Sparkling Winemaker of the Year” 2004, 2007-2013 International Wine Challenge. After Daniel died in 2002 Regis was promoted to manage all the winemaking team for all three brands; Piper, Rare and Charles. From 2013 Regis focussed his time on Champagne Piper-Heidsieck and Rare.
Daniel Thibault – 1976 to 2002 Daniel came to Charles Heidseick when Joseph Henriot of Champagne Henriot purchased it in 1976. He was chef de cave at Henriot until Joseph brough him across to Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires shortly after buying the Maison. He set hard to work because within three years he had created Champagne Charlie with the inaugural 1979 vintage followed by 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985. Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
He also created the Blanc de Millenaires Blanc de Blanc prestige cuvee with the first release of 1983. By mid 1980’s he created the “mis en cave” labelling concept & introduced 40% reserve wines as being “a new average!” Much of what we see today with Collection Crayeres, the recent releases of old vintages of the 80’s and 90’s give us a glimpse into the genius of this man; champagnes that are gorgeous four to five decades after the harvest. Daniel passed away from cancer in 2002.
Suitable for Vegans – no animal derivatives are used in the making of Charles Heidsieck Champagnes especially Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
Trade name: Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires Champagne
Item No. 1540560
Grape variety: Chardonnay on Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
Country of origin: France
Manufacturer information: Piper-Heidsieck Champagne,Alle du Vignoble 12,51100 Reims,FR
Warnings: Drink responsibly the Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
Storage conditions on Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires: store in a cool dry place
Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
The identity of the Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires vintage is intertwined with a sharp and classy acidity. An enveloping texture is then revealed with accents of lemon meringue pie and subtle saline notes. Its generosity is very prominent and will continue to develop with ageing. The finish is long and full-bodied with silky sensations.
