As with any prestigious house that does things the right way, Charles Heidsieck continue to reap the grand rewards from the seeds they go the extra mile to sow. Lauded for their meticulous production standards and uncompromising philosophy when it comes to aging, this beloved 19th-century estate has numerous qualities and inner-workings one can hone in on, but the vast legend of the Crayéres no doubt sits atop the pile. A historic network of ancient chalk cellars that lie 30 metres beneath Reims' Saint-Nicaise Hill, these 'subterranean cathedrals' date back to the 3rd-century and provide the perfect conditions for aging their efforts; whether that's an entry-level NV or one of their most legendary harvests. It is indeed that latter kind we highlight this week for Champagne Monday!
Always crafted from 100% Chardonnay from a given combination of Grand/Premier crus in the Côtes des Blanc, their Blanc des Millénaires bottles are only chosen for release in the most exceptional years for the fruit. Marking only the eighth iteration since the label began in 1983, the 2014 vintage is one incredibly complex, ethereal beauty of a bubbles. It is a year known for boasting Chardonnays of exceptional crispness and mouthfeel - can we act surprised that Charles is the house to display that in its very finest form? A fleshy core of fruit sings and slides into a mid-palate of creamy pleasure, chalky minerality and yeasty toasty bites. This one is in a exceptional spot right now, if you're understandably tempted, but has more than enough behind it to age and evolve over twenty more years, quite easily.
We'd be remiss to stop things there, though. Just recently arrived in is one very limited back-vintage bottle for this series; the legendary 1996! An extraordinary year seen as one of the best in Champagne's history, this one was sitting on lees for just the modest 24 years, before disgorgement back in 2021. Additionally, their Brut Millésime series has seen some special releases lately - 1995 in bottle and 1985 in magnum, both having been stored in the Crayéres since they were bottled, and both also disgorged in 2021!
All of these are down on special for the coming week only, with very short supply in particular with one bottle of the '96, and one magnum of the '85 only. We hope these find some loving homes, and no matter when the moment arrives, provide all the joys and complexities they have been waiting so patiently over the years to reveal.
'At Charles Heidsieck, time is considered a grape variety in its own right...'
It is a 106-step descend to reach Charles Heidsieck's historic Crayéres, worth a visit for any passer-through, champagne fan or otherwise. Lying 30-metres under Reims, they were excavated by the Romans in the 3rd century, acquired by the house in 1867, and named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015.
This is where the bottles you'll see below have been sitting in wait all these years!
Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 2014
$460 on special this week ($515 RRP)
(Limited availability)
// 100% Chardonnay from the crus of Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Oger, Cramant, Vertus.
Aged for nine years on lees before disgorgment in 2023
Dosage 9 g/l
"The vintage 2014 represents the House's highest expression of Blanc de Blancs. Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay, this exceptional cuvée brings together just five villages from the Côte des Blancs - one Premier Cru and four Grands Crus: Vertus for its freshness, brightness and balance, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger for its structure and chalky minerality, Oger for its citrus and white flower notes, Avize for its vibrant intensity, and Cramant for its vivacity. The wine reveals three successive expressions: first fresh, mineral and saline, followed by citrus and kiwi notes." - House Notes
"Only the 8th time this wine has been made in over 40 years. 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." - 18/20, Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com
"The eighth rendition of this cuvée, the 2014 Brut Blanc de Blancs Blanc des Millénaires evokes a complex, sweet bouquet of candied lemon, confit citrus, blanched almonds, brioche, honeycomb and ripe orchard fruits. Full-bodied, broad-shouldered and ample, it features a velvety attack and a vinous, fleshy core of fruit, with a textural mid-palate that leads to a spicy, long and delicate finish. This is a stunning new release of this cuvée, showcasing its depth and elegance. Drink now to 2044." - 95 Points, Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
+ a special Blanc des Millénaires back-vintage
Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 1996
$990 on special this week ($1,100 RRP)
(Only one available)
// 100% Chardonnay comprising equal portions from five Crus in the Côte des Blancs; Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Avize, Cramant, Vertus
Over 24 years of aging on lees, before disgorgment in 2021 and release in 2024
9g/L dosage
"A perfect, aged blanc de blancs with superb aromas of chalk, pie crust, limes and green apples with buttered popcorn, jasmine and hints of green tobacco. Medium-bodied, this has a compacted palate of dense dried fruit, turning to caramel and pie crust with an energized, vivid finish. Goes on for a minute." - 100 Points, James Suckling
"This is the follow-up to the legendary 1995, and is only just being released. Intense roasted hazelnut and nougat bouquet, lots of aged characters and very, very complex. An extraordinary wine, beautifully balanced and the acidity which kept it in the cellar for so long is no longer obvious." - 97 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
& back-vintage Brut Millésime options
Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésime 1995
$495 on special this week ($550 RRP)
(Very limited availability)
// 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay
Aged for 25 years on lees before disgorgement in 2021
9.5g/L dosage
"For a long time left in the shadows of 1996, 1995 has proven a more classic and undoubtedly more consistent vintage despite it's more understated nature. It was the best season the Champagne region had seen since 1990 thanks to a hot, dry summer which accelerated ripening, coupled with a late, sun-soaked harvest. Smoked, coffee notes intermingle with intense accents of toasted cacao. These are joined by the aromas of dried yellow fruit, which develop slowly to lend the wine a gourmand, sun-drenched touch. On the bouquet, a subtle interplay of spices and garrigue elevates the ensemble. Full-bodied and generous on the attack, with beautiful density. It's power is counterbalanced with a surprising freshness, which is much more pronounced than it first appears on the nose. An unfurling of juicy fruit flavours offers a vibrant, indulgent texture. A saline touch mingles with bursts of clementine for a flavourful and refined finish that lingers on the palate." - House Notes
"Tasted from magnum, the 1995 vintage, stored in the house's cellar until a late disgorgement in 2021, is wonderfully showy and decadent today, without any signs of tiring. Showing vivid, sweet greengage, lime and bergamot fruit, it's wrapped up in almond croissant richness and dotted with delicious complexities of rose petal and toasted nuts. Fleshy, accessible yet precise and silky, it's an instant charmer even if not bestowed with electric energy or definition on the palate." - 95 Points, Tom Hewson, Decanter (January 2026)
Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésime 1985 MAGNUM 1500ml
$1,975 on special this week ($2,200 RRP)
(Only one available)
// 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay
Aged for 35 years on lees before disgorgement in 2021
9g/L dosage
"This year is etched into vine growers' memories as an exceptional ideal harvest in terms of quality, despite record freezing temperatures over winter. Fortunately, beautiful weather from the 1st of July allowed the grapes to develop a wonderful richness. The Chardonnays in particular ripened beautifully, becoming refined and elegant. The nose opens with ripe yellow fruits, coupled with exotic hints of passionfruit and followed by notes of candied citrus fruits and fresh citrus zest. Notes of toasted bread and sesame are then released to enhance the aromatic profile, while a mineral freshness makes its presence felt and adds tautness. On the palate, a fine and elegant mouthfeel with silky texture and harnessed power. Minty freshness lends a hint of lightness, with roasted notes enhancing the blend as well as adding depth and complexity." - House Notes
If you wish to purchase any of these champagnes, please use the links above
If you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au
// Special prices valid until Monday the 7th of September