1952 | Charles Heidsieck | Brut Millesime

Detailed Description

This wine shows terrific balance and harmony. Quite delicate and smooth texture on the long finish.

Producer Information

Charles Heidsieck is a prestigious Champagne producer. Its house style is structured and creamy, with a high proportion of reserve wine used in the Brut NV. Charles Heidsieck uses the three main Champagne grapes; Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, in the wines, and the grapes of which are now sourced from more than 200 growers throughout Champagne. The house began in 1851 when its eponymous founder ‚Äì the original “Champagne Charlie” ‚Äì went into business for himself. Rather than investing in vineyards, Heidsieck invested in underground chalk cellars based in the center of Reims. The cellars, which are still part of the house today, are 60 feet (18m) below ground and have a constant temperature and humidity ‚Äì they have been used to age wines for nearly 150 years. The cellars were less than 330 feet (100m) away from the German front line during the First World War and managed to survive, even though 80 percent of Reims was destroyed. In 1852, Charles Heidsieck left France for America, a market that was so far untouched by Champagne. He found great success there and was seen as not only an ambassador for Champagne but for France as a whole. Today, Champagne Charles Heidsieck is a premium producer of sparkling wines. The house produces both classic brut and ros√© non-vintage wines, both of which are aged for three years, around 20 months longer than is legally required for non-vintage champagnes. There are also a range of vintage expressions in the portfolio. Both the Brut and Ros√© Mill√©sime wines are a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from prestigious cru vineyards around the Champagne region. Both are aged in the chalk cellars, the ros√© for as much as 12 years. Blanc des Mill√©naires is the top wine of the house, produced with Chardonnay grapes exclusively from the C√¥te des Blancs.