Charles Heidsieck Champagne Charlie, Cellared 2017 NV

To celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Charles-Camille Heidsieck, Charles Heidsieck has revived the much-loved Champagne Charlie bottling. There have been only five previous editions of this wine – 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1985. This new release is a multi-vintage blend of which 80% is reserve wines aged on lees for up to two decades, with the remaining 20% being Aÿ Grand Cru Pinot Noir from the 2016 harvest. The final blend is 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir, blended and cellared in 2017, and disgorged in November 2021.

To quote Anthony Rose of The World of fine Wine (29th June 2022) – “This is an expressively aromatic Champagne with a lovely light toastiness, rich, showing hints of pear and a sweet clove-like spiciness and notes of honeycomb in its beguiling aromas, so much so that I wanted to keep sticking my nose into the glass to keep those heady aromas going… But resistance was futile, and then the gorgeously opulent and succulent fruit quality was buoyed by a super texture and richness, but not at the expense of freshness or complexity: a hedonist’s delight and a very complete Champagne.” For drinking 2022-2032+.