It’s time for a new release, after 7 years 2014 Charles Heidsieck ‘Blanc de Millénaires’. Richard Juhlin has reviewed it. [read the full champagne story]
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
2014 Charles Heidsieck ‘Blanc de Millénaires’
93(95)p
100CH
TASTING NOTE ‘I was a little worried that a new winemaker and the large amount of time that had passed since the last vintage, (seven years between releases), had changed the style of this usually wonderful wine. In addition, 2014 is a somewhat thin vintage where the main champagnes are Cristal and Bollinger’s Aÿ vineyards of Pinot Noir. So glad my fears were unfounded. Stylishly blended and ultra-harmonious with a well thickened citrus butterscotch similar to all previous vintages of this wine. Perhaps slightly lighter, but at the same time a colossal gunpowder-smoked and impressive mineral-sprinkled roasted bouquet.’
‘A delicious and luxurious prestige cuvée, with a body and toasted force that brings to mind Dom Pérignon. At the same time floral and filled with sweet citrus, revealing that we are dealing with a premium blanc de blancs.‘
Champagne Club by Richard Juhlin
Producer profile
Charles Heidsieck
★★★★
Although Charles Heidsieck is both the best and most famous of the three Heidsieck houses, it was the last on the scene of the three. It took 66 years after Florence-Louis Heidsieck laid the foundations for the Heidsieck clan before Charles-Camille Heidsieck founded the house in 1851. In 1857, Charles-Camille made his first American voyage. He quickly became “Champagne-Charlie” with the Yankees and became so famous that his name appeared in lyrics in Music hall performances around the states.
Charles-Heidsieck was owned for a time by Henriot, but was sold in 1985 to the Rémy-Cointreau group and in 2011 toChristopher Descours and EPI. Daniel Thibault was Chef de caves here and at Piper-Heidsieck before he passed away prematurely in February 2002, missed by an entire wine world. Today’s winemaker my dear friend Cyril Brun follows the same delightfully toasted style. Before the incomparable Thibault came into the picture, they did not own their own vineyards.
Today they have 30 hectares in Ambonnay, Bouzy and Oger. The non-vintage champagne Brut Resérve is today one of the best on the market and the vintage wine is always a joy to follow. The decision to discontinue Champagne Charlie and replace the prestigious champagne with Blanc de Millénaires has been praised by many. Personally, I would have liked to have seen both fit in the portfolio, which is said to happen again in a couple of years. All wines are beautifully toasted. It was no easy task for Daniel Thibault’s successor Regis Camus to fill the void left by the already legendary winemaker, but the wines under his leadership and with skillful Cyril Brun now at the helm seem to be just as good.
‘Keep your eyes open for La Crayères Collection.
Champagne Club by Richard Juhlin
Often a 5-star house.’
