Charles Heidsieck, Brut Réserve (Magnum)

Alcohol percentage: 12%

Area:
Based in Reims, Charles Heidsieck own (or buy grapes from) 120 different vineyards. Unlike most areas, it is the blending of different ‘terroirs’ that is invariably the key to top quality Champagne.

Grape variety:
41% Chardonnay, 41% Pinot Noir, 18% Meunier and aged on lees for 4 years with 45% of the blend from Réserve wines of average age 10 years.

Producer:
In the last century Charles Heidsieck had a mixed history but towards the end of the century the whole focus shifted to making the highest quality Champagne – driven first by cellar master Daniel Thibault, then through Régis Camus, Thierry Roset, and Cyril Brun they elevated the House to the highest level – accredited between them as being awarded “Sparkling Winemaker of the Year” no less than 16 times by the International Wine Challenge! Today the new cellar master is Elise Losfelt. Still family owned and run (by the Descours family since 2011) Charles Heidsieck is simply as consistently good and refined as any Champagne house.

Maturity potential:
Will steadily improve for 3 years then keep for 3 more.

The Bottle Shop rating:
Now the leading ‘Grande Marque’ house for mature styles. This has toasty richness finely balanced by firm freshness – top quality by any standards.