Charles Heidsieck "Brut Reserve" Champagne

Remarkable depth of mature aromas - tons of candied lemon peel, dried pear and brioche - plus wonderful textural richness on the palate make this stand out amongst the regular Brut NVs. Then comes the intense and very long, mineral finish to crown this prince of the category. Based on 2016 base wines, but with 52% reserve wines, almost a third of which were 10 to 20 years of age. (7/2022)

One of the best value grandes marques on the market, a blend of 60 crus, with roughly a third each of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay, vinified individually by cru and variety, in stainless steel. Compared to other grandes marques, it is high (40%) in reserve wines, averaging 10 years old and dating back to 1990. Quite a floral style with lemon sherbet intensity and bready, leesy characters. It has great concentration and complexity, with a lovely grip of acidity on the finish. (CG) (12/2020)

Even the nonvintage cuvée from this top producer has bottle age, so the yeasty edge and touches of almonds balance with the Champagne's acidity and fruitiness of white fruits and citrus flavors. This fine poised wine is ready to drink. (RV) (12/2022)

The NV Champagne Reserve Brut is sunny with aromas of golden orchard fruits, pineapple, yellow apple, and fresh pastry dough. The palate is matched with ripe peach, buttered orange citrus, and yellow flowers and is rounded, with a silky mouthfeel, although it is fully dry. Classic in style, it is charming and leans towards opulence. (AF) (11/2022)

(NV Charles Heidsieck “Brut Réserve” NV (Reims)) The new release of Charles Heidsieck non-vintage Brut is from the base year of 2010 and was disgorged in 2018, giving this wine plenty of time to develop with time aging sur latte. The bouquet is deep, refined and complex, wafting from the glass in a lovely blend of apple, nectarine, patissière, a touch of hazelnut, a lovely base of chalky soil tones and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and complex, with an excellent core of fruit, lovely soil signature, very elegant mousse and a long, poised and perfectly balanced finish. With seven years of aging on its fine lees, this wine is remarkably complex and truly ready to drink upon release, which is all too rare in the world of non-vintage Brut. As is always the case, this is one of the finer non-vintage Bruts on the market today. (Drink between 2021-2040) (4/2021)

Based on the 2017 vintage, complemented by 50% reserve wines (emphasizing Pinot, which was in short supply in the base vintage), Heidsieck's NV Brut Réserve exhibits aromas of sweet citrus fruit, buttery pastry, dried white flowers, bee pollen, crisp orchard fruit and praline. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and seamless, with a pretty core of fruit, lively acids and chalky structure, it's a giving, charming wine that will offer a broad drinking window. (WK) (8/2022)

Firm acidity defines this rich, well-integrated Champagne, with aromas and flavors of toasted brioche and grilled nut, white peach and cherry fruit, coffee liqueur and grated ginger. Like a cashmere scarf, there's a pleasing plushness to the mouthfeel, wrapping the structured frame in fine tailoring. (AN) (11/2022)

It is funny to call this the "new" Charles when it actually has more old wine in it! The first difference between this wine and the old label is that this is made from just 60 vineyard sites in Champagne, rather than the previous 120. It is still composed of a third each Chardonnay, Meunier, and Pinot Noir, and includes 40% reserve wines that average 10 years of age, up from the eight-year average previously. This Charles has more of the depth and power that fans of the Charles have come to love, but also much more freshness and elegance — a coup for a wine that is actually older. This is a great bottle of multi-vintage Champagne for the price and a testament to the blenders' art. (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne buyer)