NV Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Réserve

Community Tasting Note

SLIMES Likes this wine:

92 Points

Monday, January 13, 2020 - Fantastic. 2008 base. disgorged 2014.

Drunk over three nights. Lovely toast and under-done pastry on the nose with white fruits (Apple turnover.) Fruit was fading on night three, but that's acceptable in a NV Champagne that has reserve wine streaching back into the last century.

It's worrying to note that bottles I've seen in shops recently only show three years of lees-ageing on the back label. I'm hoping that their newish Chef de Cave isn't going to trash the place.

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3 comments have been posted

Comment posted by RolfT:

1/13/2020 10:38:00 AM - I think there's a lot of variance in time on Lee's. I have two boxes of the 08 base one is disgorged in 2014 the other in 2017. At my supermarket right now they are selling 2012 base disgorged 2018. Hopefully it's rare to find releases that only see the 3 years you mention.
Comment posted by SLIMES:

1/14/2020 5:08:00 AM - That's good to hear. I've noticed the disparity myself, particularly with the 2008 base. I know that CH's balance-sheet has always been in a bit of trouble so I hope that they don't panic and start dumbing-down.
Comment posted by 2020:

3/3/2020 8:42:00 PM - I too have wondered why there are different amounts of lees aging when they use the same base vintages. Production/storage/logistic issues maybe? It’s kinda odd.

I’m with you on the worry of only 3 years lees aging. We aren’t looking for freshness from you CH!

I do know the house was sold to a French luxury brand in 2011. They also rolled out a new NV Blanc de Blanc within the last year. That supply needs to come from somewhere. Hopefully they aren’t poaching the brut NV!