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.

This pair of champagnes, Vintage 2000 & Mis en Cave 2001, part of Charles Heidsieck Collection Crayeres, a second late release of vintages direct from their cellars in Reims in November 2020. The releases are very limited quantities & a perfect chance to buy & enjoy champagne with age in its very best condition. This is the fourth time of an annual “Collection Crayeres” release & honours five of the oldest vintage & non-vintages & showcases their exceptional capacity for withst&ing time, their incredible aromatic opulence capacity & their structure after several decades of cellaring.

Mis En Cave is a name for the concept of NV the “Charles way” whereby the Champagne is 'laid in cellar' in the spring after the harvest. Charles Heidsieck have released several bottles Mis En Cave 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2008 Each of these bottles contains the non-vintage wine with the base vintage of the year before. Mis en Cave 2001 is the same as saying it is a NV from main vintage 2000.

Weather The growing season started early, July rains & hail challenged many growers and September sunshine really helped save the day. Ended with a sizeable crop picking began 11th September & champagnes are voluptuous, with ripe fruit & easy to approach. The colours turned deep golden quickly & evolution has been relatively fast. Juicy, ripe & full-bodied, the best are actually very good. It is generally a Chardonnay year & Charles was one of the top vintage releases.

Charles Heidsieck Vintage 2000
Grape Varieties: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Disgorged: 2012
Drink: Now to 2035+

Charles Heidsieck Mis En Cave 2001 (based on vintage 2000)
Grape Varieties: 37% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay, Meunier 21%
Base Vintage: 2000
Disgorged: 2006
Drink: Now to 2030+
Only 240 bottles released worldwide!

An amazing chance to compare vintage 2000 with the Non Vintage based on 2000 containing about 65% 2000!