NV Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs

This year began with rapid maturity, followed by a hot and dry summer, with a lot of concentration in the grapes. Pouring a bright medium yellow hue, the NV Champagne Blanc De Blancs Brut is based on 2020 and was disgorged in 2024. Made with 30% reserve wine, with 5-6% of the wine vinified in oak barrels, it has a lush and smooth, rounded, pillowy mousse, with ripe fruit of meringue and lemon curd. Classic for a reason, drink this over the coming 10 years. This year, Émilien Erard has been appointed as Cellar Master of Charles Heidsieck. The shift follows Elise Losfelt’s departure to return to her family estate in the Languedoc, Château de l’Engarran. Mr. Erard has been working at the estate since 2018, alongside both Elise Losfelt and, previously, Cyril Brun. Mrs. Losfelt’s tenure oversaw the 2023 and 2024 vintages at the house. The wines for this report were tasted at the estate in Reims with CEO Stephen Leroux and Émilien Erard.

Beautiful nose of white flowers with candied lemon peel aromas underlined by a delicate white bread character with just a hint of toast. At once generous and elegant on the front palate, then the salty and chalky character builds beautifully, very nicely balancing the dosage at the long polished finish. A cuvee based on the 2018 vintage with 30% reserve wines matured for almost three years on the lees before disgorging in January 2023. Drink now.

Disgorged in 2022, the latest release of the Charles Heidsieck NV Blanc de Blancs is elaborated with 30% of reserve wines, of which 10% to 12% are aged in old barrels. It has a captivating bouquet with aromas of honeysuckle, lemon oil, citrus, peach, tangerine and delicate hints of pastry, followed by a medium to full-bodied, round and creamy, layered and elegant palate that finishes with chalky and brioche notes. A little time in the cellar will be more than profitable.