Champagne Charles Heidsieck - Blanc de Blancs

As the crown jewel of the Descours family’s Piper brand, Charles Heidsieck richly deserves to be considered one of today’s most outstanding brands. It owes this status to the superb character of each of its champagnes and to the smooth, mellow roundness so characteristic of the “Charles style.” The house’s style is not based on power, tension, or minerality, but on elegance.

Buttery, with aromas of apple pie, vanilla pastry, and dried fruit. On the palate, there are notes of matchsticks and toasted citrus. A mature, evolved style that is carefully balanced.

Disgorged in 2022, the latest vintage of Charles Heidsieck NV Blanc de Blancs offers a captivating bouquet with aromas of honeysuckle, lemon oil, citrus, peach, mandarin, and delicate pastry notes, followed by a medium- to full-bodied palate that is round and creamy, layered and elegant, finishing with chalky and brioche-like notes. A little time in the cellar will be more than beneficial.

The Blanc de Blancs exhibits a distinctly toasty profile resulting from aging on the lees. The nose features notes of hazelnut, bread crumb, grains, and brioche—the full range of aromas one would expect. The wine is round on the palate and seems to be further enhanced by the dosage.

This small house, founded in 1851 in Reims and well known among discerning connoisseurs, owes its success to the style of its full-bodied, rounded champagnes. With a very high proportion of reserve wines in the blend (40%) and a bold dosage of 8g, Charles-Heidsieck’s non-vintage brut cultivates an original style—somewhat at odds with certain trends, yet with an undeniable personality. Since the Descours family acquired the house in 2011, a new era has dawned for the house, which—without losing its soul—has returned to the forefront with a comprehensive, high-quality range of wines. We recognize this trajectory with a second star.

A magnificent nose of white flowers with aromas of candied lemon peel, accented by a delicate note of white bread with just a hint of toast. Generous yet elegant on the palate at first, then the salty and chalky character develops beautifully, balancing the dosage very nicely in the long, polished finish.

Made from Chardonnay grapes sourced from various terroirs in the region, it opens in the glass with more reserved and delicate aromas of citrus pulp and white flowers, with a deeper mineral undertone. Juicy and full-bodied, it is more expressive on the palate, with notes of ripe fresh pear and roundness, and a creamy texture. It is very appealing, and although it needs a little coaxing when first opened, it is a very seductive, ripe, and juicy Blanc de Blancs that bears the Heidsieck signature. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2030.