2014 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
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Tasting notes
It’s been a long wait for Charles Heidsieck fans for another release of their iconic Blanc des Millénaires cuvée – which we haven’t seen since 2007. The 2014 is an exceptional follow-up that is already drinking beautifully. Pure Chardonnay, it is a wonderfully expressive wine with aromas of butter-rich pastry, crème pâtissière and candied lemon. The texture is pillowy and soft, a cloud-like mousse that embraces the palate. Vibrant acidity works with layers of white peach and ripe pear, the bite of lemon pith and underlying chalky minerality. It’s almost impossible to resist now, but the wine’s concentration and balance heralds years in the cellar. Only the eighth release of this cuvée, it’s a wine that is more than worthy of its status.
Critic scores
Average Score
Tom Hewson, Decanter
Richard Juhlin
More reviews and scores
More restrained than the Comtes de Champagne 2013 tasted before, with a steelier, chalkier style and sharper acidity as well. Long finish with powerful apple fruit. Still youthful. (RH)
A compacted, dense blanc de blancs with real intensity, showing tarte tatin and sliced white peaches. Full-bodied. A lovely combination of dried apples, pie crust and underlying acidity. Some subtle brioche. Hints of cream and salted butter. From the villages of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Vertus, Cramant and Avize. 8.5 years on the lees. Dosage 9 g/L. Disgorged 2023. Drink now.
Chardonnay from the crus of Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Oger, Cramant, Vertus. Nine years on the lees, disgorged 2023. Only the 8th time this wine has been made in over 40 years. Dosage 9 g/l. Masses of very fine bubbles on first pouring. Inviting, almost ethereal chalky citrus aroma. Masses of mouth-watering tension and freshness, with great precision. Tightly wound but not lean because it is so well balanced. Pure, chalky, crisp and very long. Elegant, gently complex, with only subtle creamy/yeasty autolytic character. The crisp citrus fruit still dominates after all this time on the lees, though the lees ageing shows in the rich texture. (JH)
About the producer
Founded by the original “Champagne Charlie”, Champagne Charles Heidsieck is one of the region’s smaller Houses but also one of its most quality-focused. From its Brut Réserve to its prestige cuvée, Blanc des Millénaires, the wines are rich, vinous and complex.