Charles Heidsieck : Vintage 2013

A great vintage champagne that delights with its power and aromatic purity

The estate

The Charles Heidsieck Champagne House is an unmissable name, overseeing a prestigious heritage terrain of two thousand-year-old chalk pits. A pioneer, Charles Heidsieck distinguished itself at the end of the 1980s by highlighting the exceptional aromatic evolution of its multi-vintage Brut Champagne. In 1987, Charles Heidsieck was the first Champagne house to indicate the year of "mise en cave" in order to follow the evolution of the wine over time.

The vineyard

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

The wine

The fourth Brut Vintage produced since 2000, this Charles Heidsieck Millésimé 2013 is made from a meticulous selection of 10 Grand and Premier Crus from the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims: Oger, Vertus, Chouilly, Cuis, Verzy, Aÿ, Ludes, Ambonnay, Tauxières and Avenay. The dosage of this Brut champagne is 9g/l.

The vintage

A particularly cold winter and spring, but without any major impact of frost on the vineyards, preceded a summer with brief heat waves which resulted in a phenolic ripening well above average. Autumn conditions delayed the harvest until mid-September and even early October depending on the terroir. The rainy periods recorded during the harvest were restorative, advancing good ripening.

Winemaking and ageing

More than 8 years on the lees.

Blend

Pinot Noir (57%)
Chardonnay (43%) 

Characteristics and tasting tips for Millésimé 2013 from Charles Heidsieck

Tasting

Colour
The colour is of a beautiful gold with green highlights. The effervescence is lively and precise.

Nose
Opening with intense ripe fruit, toasted and smoky scents, the nose exhales delicious fruity notes (apricot, vine peach) as it is aired. The bouquet delights with its aromatic depth, a harmonious expression of the summer heat wave.

Palate
A very precise attack gives way to a palate that harmoniously combines power, freshness and purity with a creamy touch. Delicious fruity scents mingle with spicy notes (cinnamon, liquorice, pepper) characteristic of the singular style of the House of Charles Heidsieck.

Food and wine pairing

Tempura prawns, pigeon pastilla with grilled pine nuts, "katsu" chicken, grilled green asparagus with a touch of extra aged balsamic vinegar or cheeses (Corsican Brocciu, Ossau-Iraty) are refined matches for this vintage Brut Champagne.

Storage

This 2013 vintage by Charles Heidsieck can be enjoyed until 2043.