Average rating 4.9/5 stars across all Google and external reviews
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Bought directly from Charles Heidsieck's UK agent Liberty Wines, the bottles are stored in bond at London City Bond Eton Park, in ideal conditions at a constant 13°C. For same-day deliveries, small quantities are kept in our office cellar, where the temperature is maintained between 11–13°C. We source all our bottles directly from the Maison or their official UK office, eliminating the risk of poor storage. This is crucial, as champagne quality is highly sensitive to heat: temperatures above 18°C accelerate maturity significantly, which compromises quality.
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'. In 2011 both Charles Heidsieck and Piper-Heidsieck were bought by EPI Group headed by Christopher Descours, he has provided significant finance for both Houses allowing them to grow their vineyard holdings, grape purchasing and production. Today, production occurs alongside sister company Piper-Heidsieck in an ultra-modern functional wine-making facility on the southern outskirts of Reims. The Charles Heidsieck Cellars are a Unesco World Heritage site and comprise more than eight kilometres of chalk tunnels interlinking forty seven subterranean cathedrals called Crayères, reaching 30 metres high and believed to have been dug out in the 3rd century.
After many years ageing in the unique and ancient Crayères acquired by its founder Charles Heidsieck, Brut Millésime reveals itself as a champagne poised between elegance and complexity, with a smooth texture and great length on the palate. Extended ageing on the lees has unlocked the full potential of their aromas. Each vintage has its own signature, its own generous tone.
Weather: 1983 bestowed the Champagne region with an abundant harvest, despite a very wet winter and awful spring. During the summer of 1983, it was a relief to see the vines had grown lush with magni cently ripe grapes. The Pinots Noirs were incredibly aromatic and powerful. The Chardonnays stood out for their finesse and surprising body. The wines were extremely high quality, and worthy of long cellaring.
This champagne is part of Charles Heidsieck Collection Crayeres, a second late release of vintages direct from their cellars in Reims in December 2017. The releases are very limited quantities and a perfect chance to buy and enjoy champagne with age in its very best condition; just 120 magnums have been released.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru
Grape Varieties: 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay
Ageing: 15 years on the lees
Disgorged: March 1999
Drink: Now to 2035+
Tasting Note: Antique golden colour with amber reflection. Complex aromas of leather, cocoa and occasional notes of light spices. Perfectly mature with gentle acidity and nice texture of velvet on the midpalate, notes of dried fruits and candied ginger through the long finish.
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. In 1976 the hugely under-forming Charles business was bought by Joseph Henriot of Champagne Henriot, the same year he installed his chef de cave, Daniel Thibault who within three years had created Champagne Charlie with in inaugural 1979 vintage, followed by 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985. For nine years Charles Heidseick thrived again, however, in 1985 Rémy Cointreau, purchased Charles and during the next 25 years the focus was shifted away from prestige cuvee champagne because Krug was also in the same ownership. It took until 2011 before Charles was again loved, when Charles Heidsieck and Piper-Heidsieck were bought by Christopher Descours of EPI Group. His vision saw investment for growth in vineyard holdings, grape purchasing and production. After decades of decline the brands are again growing with quality now back at the top of their agenda. Today, the wines are made alongside sister company Piper-Heidsieck in an ultra-modern wine-making facility on the 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: Emilien Erard
Winery Location: Reims | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Montagne de Reims
Annual Production (bottles): 1,800,000
Chef de Cave History at Champagne Charles Heidsieck:
Emilien Erard - 1st July 2025 to current
Emilien Erard is an accomplished oenologist with a deep-rooted passion for Champagne. A key figure within the EPI group since 2018, he joined as head of tank room in the joint Charles & Piper winery. In 2022, he was appointed to manage the wineries own vineyards and Vineyard Relations Manager to over see their many grape growers. Emilien’s career also includes significant experience at Champagne Ayala and Palmer & Co
Elise Losfelt - March 2023 to June 2025
Arriving in March 2023, Elise Losfelt had joined the house of Charles Heidsieck in Reims after more than ten years at Moet and Chandon, alongside Benoît Gouez. Her appointment marked an important milestone in the history of Charles Heidsieck, following the departure of Cyril Brun, who she worked alongside on the 2022 wines to ensure a smooth transition in the house style. After the tragic loss of her husband in 2024 Elise has decided to move back closer to her family in the south of France and joins the family winery in Montpellier in summer 2025.
Cyril Brun - April 2015 to April 2023
Cyril re-engineered & re-launched Champagne Charlie some 37 years after its initial launch and shifted the blend of Brut Reserve to using a touch of oak which allowed CH to continue with its growth plans. In 2023 Cyril moved to Trentino in Italy taking over as chef de cave at Ferrari Trento
Thierry Roset - 2011 to 2014
Recruited by Daniel Thibault in 1988 as his deputy and in 2003 after Daniel passed away he became a full time member of Regis's winemaking team leading to him creating the “new Charles style” from 2007. His last "big task" was to oversee the smooth transition in winemaking when ownership shifted from Remy Cointreau to the EPI Group. Previously he had also worked for both Moet & Chandon and Louis Roederer. He died suddenly on 5th October 2014.
Regis Camus - Chef de Cave 2002 to 2011
Regis began at Charles Heidsieck in 1995 where he was assistant to Daniel Thibault and won 8-times "Sparkling Winemaker of the Year" 2004, 2007-2013 International Wine Challenge. After Daniel died in 2002 Regis was promoted to manage all the winemaking team for all three brands; Piper, Rare and Charles. From 2013 Regis focussed his time on Champagne Piper-Heidsieck and Rare.
Daniel Thibault - 1975 to 2002
Daniel came to Charles Heidseick when Joseph Henriot of Champagne Henriot purchased it in 1976. He was chef de cave at Henriot until Joseph brought him across to Charles Heidsieck shortly after buying the Maison. He set hard to work because within three years he had created Champagne Charlie with the inaugural 1979 vintage followed by 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985. He also created the Blanc de Millenaires Blanc de Blanc prestige cuvee with the first release of 1983. By mid 1980's he created the "mis en cave" labelling concept & introduced 40% reserve wines as being "a new average!" Much of what we see today with Collection Crayeres, the recent releases of old vintages of the 80's and 90's give us a glimpse into the genius of this man; champagnes that are gorgeous four to five decades after the harvest. Daniel passed away from cancer in 2002.
Expert Reviews
19/20
Jancis Robinson MW
“Disgorged 1990. 65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay. Six years on the lees. Dosage 10 g/l. Bright coppery gold. Vegy top note. Very racy and youthful! Drier than the Blanc des Millénaires 1983. Strong tangerine notes on the palate and so fresh! Looks old but doesn’t remotely taste old. Long and crisp and really drills down on the palate. Citrus notes. Less dense than the 1981.”
Ever wondered what makes a good vintage and which years were the best in Champagne? This is the Champagne Vintage Guide, their overall ratings according to Essi Avellan MW and the best releases of the Vintage year.
Charles Heidsieck Champagne is celebrating the art of outdoor dining and its exquisite Blanc de Blancs champagne with an exclusive luxury picnic hamper
"The wines in 2018 were good overall. Some were exceptional... some over-mature." Charles Heidsieck Chef de Cave, Cyril Brun, was slightly more cautious than other winemakers regarding the potential of 2018. We tasted a range of vins clairs and reserve wines with the always engaging winemaker at the cellars in Reims.
A 'Champagne Charlie' in another life himself, wine journalist David Kermode attended our Charles Heidsieck Dinner and Tasting at Frederick's last week to sample a range of new and old vintages from this reformed house. Read his report for The Buyer here.
This week, Director of Charles Heidsieck Stephen Leroux hosted our Charles Heidsieck Dinner and Tasting at Frederick's, Islington. With an expertly paired champagne/food menu and a rare magnum of Brut Millésime 1983 to taste, it was a night to remember.
Charles Heidsieck have revealed a treasured collection of old vintages named 'Collection Crayères'. Released in extremely limited quantities, we are pleased to offer five incredible vintages, in bottle and magnum, from the 1980s.
We met with Charles Heidsieck Cellar Master Cyril Brun at the newly renovated tasting facility in Reims. An incredible tasting included a Blanc des Millénaires vertical and a preview of the new 'Collection Crayères', dating back to 1981.
