1995 Charles Heidsieck "Blanc des Millénaires" Brut Champagne

The last batch of 1995 was disgorged in summer 2017, after spending 21 years on lees. ‘Jetted’ to revive it after disgorgement, it has a new lease of life. A refreshing young Champagne with pure chalkiness and lemon intensity. Cries out for oysters. (CG) (7/2018)

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. (SR) 95+ (6/2016)

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. (AG) (10/2012)

This mouthwatering Champagne is refined and satiny in texture, with a citrusy overtone to the flavors of apricot preserves, toasted hazelnut and brioche, crystallized honey and fleur de sel. Presents a lasting, smoke- and spice-filled finish. Drink now through 2025. (AN) (11/2015)

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. (JR) (10/2011)

A wine with some impressive deep-set complexity. Very toasty, sweet, caramelized lemon and grapefruit aromas plus a wealth of grilled hazelnuts and sweet-smelling spicy accents too. The palate's smoky, savory and has sherry-like nutty aged characters. The thread runs long through the finish, and slightly dried citrus fruits fade slowly in a nutty afterglow with a candied lime finish. A truly mature Champagne. (7/2015)

This luxurious blend from the Côte des Blancs is gaining maturity, though it’s still fresh enough that the flavors have the taste of a ripe white peach. The bubbles are fine, the flavors touched by vanilla and cream. A broad, luscious Champagne to make fried chicken festive. (12/2015)

Disgorged 2015. Daniel Thibault was so confident of the quality and longevity of this wine that he made 10 times the amount his boss suggested (on the basis that presidents of champagne companies change much more frequently than chefs de cave). Very little bottle variation apparently. Some of the vast lots are disgorged every year in summer. Still greenish gold. Still lots of freshness on the nose. Noble and magnificent. Savoury and yet lacy. Full phenolic ripeness (a bit more than 2004, which is currently embargoed). Dances on the palate. Lovely, very lightly toasty, mature Chardonnay flavours but definitely tight-knit champagne not burgundy! So clean. (JR) 19/20 points (8/2017)

This spectacular bottle of Champagne is drinking better than any current release tête de cuvée in the store thanks to the patience of the folks at Charles Heidsieck. The supply is running out however, so if you want some of this great 1995 before it is gone, act quickly. This wine is all Chardonnay from the villages of Cramant, Oger, Mesnil and Vertus and has the butterscotch laced toastiness of Champagne that has been given the time that it needs to develop. The classy Cote des Blancs minerality balances out the richness perfectly, leaving the drinker refreshed and eager for more. (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne buyer)