Charles Heidsieck : Millésimé Brut Collection Crayères 1996

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Millésimé Brut Collection Crayeres 1996

Tasting

Colour
Shining, the golden yellow colour is supported by a delicate effervescence.

Nose
The nose opens with notes of candied lemon, grapefruit and yuzu. Upon aeration, the wine reveals signs of maturity through fragrances of dried apricot, mirabelle plum and mango, fruits (raspberry, blackcurrant, nuts), candied chestnut and hazelnut.

Palate
In the mouth, a slight promising austerity suggests a good ageing potential. The finish is marked by subtle peppery notes.

The complexity and finesse of a vintage champagne signed Charles Heidsieck

The property

An essential reference, the House of Champagne Charles Heidsieck oversees a prestigious heritage with two thousand year old chalk pits. Pioneer, Charles Heidsieck distinguished himself from the late 80s by highlighting the exceptional aromatic evolution capacity of his multi-vintage Brut champagne. In 1987, Charles Heidsieck was thus the first Champagne house to indicate the year of "cellaring" in order to follow the evolution of the wine over time.

The vineyard

The Charles Heidsieck House owns a vineyard of about 60 hectares in the Marne and Aube. This vineyard benefits from a sustainable viticulture approval as well as the High Environmental Value certification. In addition to its own vineyard and following the Champagne model, Charles Heidsieck supplements its needs through long-term supply contracts with rigorously selected winegrowers and cooperatives in Champagne.

The wine

Champagne Brut rare and of great elegance, this 1996 edition of the "Collection Crayères" by Charles Heidsieck is a vibrant tribute to the founder of this illustrious House. This 1996 vintage was bottled in 1997 and disgorged in 2021.

The vintage

1996 is a year marked by contrasting climatic conditions but allowing a progressive, homogeneous and optimal maturation of the grapes until the harvest.

Blend

This Millésimé Brut Collection Crayères 1996 from Charles Heidsieck is the result of a blend of pinot noir (60%) and chardonnay (40%).