Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésimé '12

- A Vintage suited for long ageing

- Blend of 10 Grands Crus and Premiers Crus

- Notes of quince, vanilla and vineyard peaches

The year 2012 made news. Not often does so chaotic and challenging a vintage provide wines with such incredible balance, concentration and harmony. Today the 2012 vintage has found its place amongst the great Champagne years.

After 10 years ageing in the unique Gallo-Romain Crayères, Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésimé is an elegant and refined wine with an incredible smooth texture on the palate. A blend of ten Grands Crus and Premiers Crus meticulously selected by the House, it shows magnificent minerality, intensity and acidity.

The nose shows subtle toasted and smoked notes with a touch of liquorice and earthy notes. When swirled in the glass, fruity notes of apricot and fresh almonds add an extra dimension to the wine. This incredible aromatic concentration, very typical of this year, is the focus of the wine's merit. On the palate, a mineral and fresh wine with notes of quince, vanilla and vineyard peaches, followed by a firm, crisp finish,

Gentleman and entrepreneur in the audacious 19th century, Charles Heidsieck was heir to a Champagne fortune, a rebel with an extraordinary thirst for adventure. At age 29, he founded a Champagne House in his image: authentic, distinguished and which stands out among all others. In keeping with this spirit, his grandson Charles-Marcel created a Blanc de Blancs, consolidating the style of a House that manifests itself across all varietals.

What makes Charles Heidsieck such an excellent house? Well there are many avenue we can discuss, however, let's will focus on their unashamed pursuit of quality through long cellar ageing, a back catalogue of reserve wines in Solera and a multitude of vineyard sites to select across. They produce some 800,000 bottles a year, which is small on the grand scheme of champagne production. The Chef de Cave is Cyril Brun who has done a sterling job of crafting some extraordinary wines with finesse, power and maturity.

According to our friend and colleague Tyson Stelzer, "The new Charles Heidsieck is built on deep, autumnal complexity, juxtaposed with vibrant energy and astonishing poise. Its cuvées have never looked finer." Tyson Stelzer - The Champagne Guide 2018-2019

Let's not forget they own 1 of the 5 UNESCO World Heritage listed Gallo-Roman cellars that are impressive as they are a prominent part of history.