Charles Heidsieck "Brut Réserve" Champagne

The nose is generous and luxurious, with white peach, toasted almonds, acacia honey. The palate is expansive but taut, balanced by bright, mouthwatering acidity that delivers precise energy that keeps every sip focused. Creamy and finely textured, it finishes with soft, salty almond and brioche, making it a seamless pairing from appetizers to roasted or braised dishes. (ACC)

My jaw almost dropped when I learned the story of the new Charles Heidsieck from Cecile Bonnefond, the CEO of both Charles and Piper. Instead of the normal package change / price increase rationalized by “increased international demand” this wine had been improved at great cost to the producer before the price went up! The new package contains a selection of half the vineyard sites of the old one, and older reserve wines. The result is non-vintage Champagne that is better than most big house vintage wines and a stronger value now at the current price than the old Charles was at $34.99. In the years since the change, this bottling has gone from strength to strength as the average age of the reserve wines inside has increased. When we poured this at a recent in-store tasting on “House Style” it was one of the stars of the night. This Champagne has depth, combining maturity and freshness, nutty intrigue and minerality!