Charles Heidsieck "Brut Reserve" Champagne

SKU #100047 93 points Wine Enthusiast

* Cellar Selection * A great wine, much more than only a Champagne, this is impressively rich and ripe, with crisp yellow fruits, spices and layers of toast. It's in an opulent style that is round but also very focused on tight layers of fruit, minerality and final vivid acidity. (12/ 2009)

93 points Wine Spectator

Like a Persian carpet this lovely, elegant Champagne seamlessly weaves together its elements, with fine-grained texture and vibrant acidity joining rich flavors of toast, patisserie fruit and candied lemon zest that show subtle spice notes of cardamom and ginger. Drink now through 2020. (11/ 2011)

92 points Wine & Spirits

True to its designation, this includes up to 40 percent reserve wines in the blend, which contribute a comforting richness to contrast the bright, green apple fruit. It has a plump, ginger cream flavor, the acidity chalky and dry enough to make that plumpness austere. Great with oysters, especially Alaskan oysters. (12/ 2008)

90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

(2009 disgorgement): Light, bright gold. Orange pith, pear and smoky lees on the fragrant nose. Rich, broad and fleshy but energetic, offering juicy orchard fruit flavors and notes of honeysuckle and buttered toast. Shows an exotic note of iodine on the sappy, persistent and smoky finish. There's a lot of reserve wine in this blend and it shows. (12/ 2011)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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. (12/ 2008)

K&L Notes

Warning- this is the last of the old cuvee of Charles Heidsieck "Brut Reserve" Champagne . This bottle is made 40% of reserve wine and these reserve wines are what really sets Charles Heidsieck apart, they average 8 years old and have elements going back as far as 15 years. The patience to curate this solera of old wines gives the wine texture and complexity rarely encountered in grand marque Champagne, especially at this price. The wine is composed of 1/3 each Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier and is all vinified in stainless steel tanks with full malolactic fermentation. When I visited we tasted vin clair from all over Champagne- they own 150 acres and contract many more. If you love a toasty, rich style of Champagne with lots of complexity this is a very good choice. -Gary Westby