Charles Heidsieck's prestige cuvée is a blend of pure Chardonnay from just five different Crus and always 20% from each: Avize for verve and minerality; Cramant for complexity and ageability; Le Mesnil-sur-Oger for balance; Oger for creaminess and weight; and Vertus for floral freshness. An absolute masterpiece from the Côte des Blancs, this cuvée spends more than fifteen years maturing in the heart of Charles Heidsieck's two-thousand-year-old chalk cellars. Such an outstanding creation deserves an exceptional case: the gift box, which mirrors the curves of the crayères cellars after which it is named (Blanc des Millénaires, or 'White of Millenia'), echoes the nobility of this location where nothing counts except time itself.

This champagne is part of Charles Heidsieck Collection Crayeres, a second late release of vintages direct from their cellars in Reims in November 2018. Only 75 of these special edition cases are available worldwide and only 20 cases in the UK.

La Collection Crayeres Vertical includes the following 75cl bottles:
1x Blanc des Millenaires 2004 - Disgorged: November 2016 Cork: Mytik Diam Technological
1x Blanc des Millenaires 1995 - Disgorged: Summer 2017 Cork: Mytik Diam Technological
1x Blanc des Millenaires 1990 - Original disgorgement 1999
1x Blanc des Millenaires 1985 - Original disgorgement 1996
1x Blanc des Millenaires 1983 - Original disgorgement 1994
1x Blanc de Blancs 1982 - Original disgorgement 1991

The Blanc des Millenaires in the case can be purchased individually, Blanc de Blancs 1982 is only available in the case.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: Grand Cru | Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger & 1er Cru Vertus
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Disgorged: Various

Of the three Champagne houses named Heidsieck - all originating from families once related - Charles is the smallest and arguably, the best. Established in 1851 by the nephew of Piper-Heidsieck's owner, Charles Heidsieck himself was the original 'Champagne Charlie'. He gained the nickname during his travels around America in the mid-19th Century - a country whose introduction to Champagne is credited to Charles. Today, production occurs alongside sister company Piper-Heidsieck in an ultra-modern functional cuverie on the southern outskirts of Reims.

Charles Heidsieck champagnes have a rich history of being served at various infamous events; it was the chosen Champagne of the European royalty in the late 1800s; a photograph from Robert Falcon Scott's fated expedition to Antarctica shows the party drinking Charles Heidsieck at their Christmas dinner; in 1977 the house produced a special vintage for the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and in 1981 a 'Royal Wedding Cuvée' was served to celebrate the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Cellar Master: Cyril Brun
Winery Location: Reims | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Montagne de Reims
Annual Production (bottles): 1,000,000