Charles Heidsieck : Millésimé Brut Collection Crayères 2006

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of the Millésimé Brut Collection Crayères 2006 from Charles Heidsieck

Tasting Notes

Appearance
A golden hue with luminous highlights.

Nose
The bouquet opens with a generous array of yellow fruits such as white peach, fresh apricot and mirabelle plum. It then evolves toward floral notes of jasmine and honeysuckle, enhanced by touches of citrus and bergamot, along with subtle roasted and liquorice nuances.

Palate
The palate reveals a full, round body carried by a silky texture. A lovely salinity and chalky minerality balance the indulgent flavours of nougat and buttery cream. The finish stands out for its liveliness and remarkable length.

Food and Wine Pairings

This champagne pairs wonderfully with refined dishes such as seafood, dishes with iodized notes, or poultry served with a creamy mushroom sauce. It also complements lightly roasted or caramelized preparations beautifully.

Serving and Cellaring

This Millésimé Brut Collection Crayères 2006 has remarkable ageing potential and will continue to evolve favourably for many years to come.

The Richness and Minerality of a Champagne by Charles Heidsieck

The Estate

Founded in 1851 in Reims by Charles-Camille Heidsieck, the House of Charles Heidsieck is an iconic name in Champagne. Nicknamed "Champagne Charlie" for his pioneering spirit abroad, the founder built the estate's identity around its spectacular Gallo-Roman crayères cellars. Today owned by the EPI family group led by the Descours family, with Nicolas Beckers as president, the house cultivates 75 hectares of vines. Deeply committed to sustainable development, it holds B Corp certification and stands out for its environmentally responsible winegrowing practices, producing wines of remarkable consistency.

The Vineyard

The grapes used for this cuvée come exclusively from terroirs classified as Premier and Grand Cru in Champagne. The vines thrive on renowned chalky soils, with white grapes sourced from the villages of Avize, Cramant, Oger and Vertus, and black grapes from Mailly and Ambonnay.

The Vintage

The year 2006 was marked by contrasting weather conditions. After a particularly cold winter, the growing cycle benefited from a hot, sunny summer. Some rainfall in August helped preserve the freshness of the berries, before a bright September ensured optimal ripeness and a perfect balance in the harvest.

Winemaking and Ageing

Vinification begins with a first fermentation in tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation, which adds roundness and body. After blending and bottling, a second fermentation takes place. The wine is then aged for an extended period on its lees deep within the House's centuries-old crayères, ranging from eight to fourteen years depending on the disgorgement date.

Grape Varieties

This Brut champagne is made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.