Wine Advisor
Charles Heidsieck, Blanc de Millenaires Brut 1995
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Drunk from a bottle that was disgorged in 2016, the 1995 Blanc des Millenaires continues to show very well, wafting from the glass with a complex bouquet of waxy citrus rind, dried pear, walnut oil, warm bread and fresh pastry. On the palate, it's full-bodied, enveloping and chalky, with a rich and muscular core, lively acids and a long, precise finish. Impeccably balanced, this is a cuvée I have drunk on many occasions and which used to be well-represented in my own cellar, but this is as good a bottle as I have ever encountered. In the plenitude of full-maturity, now is a great time to pop corks.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Hiedsieck’s 1995 Blanc des Millenaires is gorgeous in its expression of honeyed apricots, roasted nuts, brioche and flowers. This mid-weight Champagne offers plenty of persistence with perfumed, sweet notes that linger on the finish. This is Lot 61012 11919, disgorged in 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018. Charles Heidsieck is one of Champagne’s historic houses. Charles-Camille Heidseick was an early pioneer in developing export markets for his wines as far back as 150 years ago. Today, this large estate based in Reims makes wines in an easygoing, pretty style. Importer: Remy Cointreau USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 424-2204
Reviewed by: Stephan Reinhardt
Deep, pure and fresh on the fruit-intense and complex nose, the 1995 Blanc des Millenaires is still young and incredibly fresh on the palate. This is refreshingly pure, concentrated, fruity and perfectly round Champagne that reveals a great tension and mineral complexity. It also has a long and salty finish. Keep it for ten or 20 years.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1995 Brut Blanc des Millenaires shows just how compelling this often overlooked vintage can be. Layers of lemon, pastry, spices, crushed rocks and savory herbs literally jump from the glass. An exquisite, perfumed, beautifully delineated Champagne, the 1995 shows lovely flavor complexity and nuance from its extended time in bottle, yet it also retains plenty of freshness, verve and acidity. This is a great showing from Charles Heidsieck. The 1995 was made before the tenure of the house’s current team, headed by CEO Cecile Bonnefond. It will be very interesting to see what develops at this historic property over the coming years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Importer: Remy Cointreau USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 424-2204
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1995 Brut Blanc des Millenaires shows just how compelling this often overlooked vintage can be. Layers of lemon, pastry spices, crushed rocks and savory herbs literally jump from the glass in this exquisite, perfumed, beautifully delineated Champagne. The 1995 shows lovely flavor complexity and nuance from its extended time in bottle, yet it also retains plenty of freshness, verve and acidity. This is a great showing from Charles Heidsieck. The 1995 was made before the tenure of the house's current team, headed by CEO Cécile Bonnefond. It will be very interesting to see what develops at this historic property over the coming years.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(made from mostly grand cru chardonnay grown in Oger, Melsnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, Avize and some from premier cru Vertus; L138210-3002126): Vivid gold. Heady aromas of candied citrus fruits, flowers, truffle, gingerbread and iodine, with an intensely smoky overtone. Deep, pungent and palate-staining, with the orchard and pit fruit flavors reaching every corner of the palate and showing impressive power without any excess weight. Even more extroverted than last year's release, finishing with excellent cling and lingering smokiness.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(L4122611172) Bright gold. Roomfilling, utterly seductive bouquet of orange, pear, jasmine, magnolia, white truffle and smoked meat. Deep, rich and broad, showing an array of orchard and citrus fruit flavors along with complicating nuances of toast, toffee and smoke. Finishes deep, rich and long, with a sappy quality. Fans of old-style Krug will love this, as will fans of white Burgundy.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Pungent, highly complex nose offers ginger, quinine, flowers and oyster shell. Bright, minerally and firm-edged, with exotic suggestions of mango, oran ge and pineapple. Wonderfully precise blanc de blancs, with terrific sweetness of fruit for a dry wine. Finishes long, juicy and nuanced, with a lingering spicy character. Delicious now but capable of gaining in complexity over the next five to ten years.
About the Producer
Charles Heidsieck Champagne was established in 1851 by the nephew of Piper-Heidsieck's owner. Charles Heidsieck's grand-uncle founded the Champagne Heidsieck et Cie House and Charles grew up in the midst of grapes, loved by his mother, Emilie Henriot, and his sisters, in a family ruled by Reims traditions. Charles became a traveller and free-spirited, smooth-talking gentleman entrepreneur, focused on his champagne business. With his distinguished charm and knack for business, he captivated America becoming a prominent figure of fashionable society in just a few months. Charles focused on making a name for himself and for his champagne - Champagne Charlie. Charles Heidsieck is one of the most awarded champagnes in the world. Its Cellar Masters have been recognized no less than twelve times as “Sparkling Winemaker of the Year” over an eighteen-year period. The Champagnes themselves have also won many awards in competitions with the Brut Reserve having wone over 20 medals since 2012.
