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 the hype around its Vintage Brut 2008, Charles has revealed the latest version of its Rosé Vintage 2008, in a new bottle known as "Crayère". This champagne presents an excellent ageing potential, aged on the lees in Charles Heidsieck's Gallo Roman Crayères (chalk cellars) for more than ten years. It is made from a selection of around fifteen Crus throughout Champagne. The grapes which contribute the red wine content originate from Ambonnay, Bouzy, Hautvillers, Les Riceys and Verzenay. The delicate effervescence reveals the aromatic complexity of this blended rosé which is famed for its incredible harmony and depth.

Weather: 2008 was dominated by grey, overcast skies – an exception in a decade characterized by bold, generous sunshine. Spring and summer brought the same lack of sunlight and absence of high temperatures. It was September that saved the vintage, belatedly and miraculously. Just when the harvest was getting underway (on September 15), the weather conditions were finally perfect: blue skies and prolonged north-northeasterly winds. Picking was spread out over a long period in order to benefit from this positive turn of events. The grapes were riper than anyone dared hope, and had truly outstanding balance. The vines were in perfect health.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | 15 Crus | Chardonnay: Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Vertus | Pinot Noir: Ambonnay, Avenay, Aÿ, Tauxières
Grape Varieties: 63% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay | inc. 9% Red Wine
Ageing: 10 years on the lees
Disgorged: January 2021
Dosage: 7 g/l
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: Saline and mineral underlined by toasted aromas and notes of blood orange and red currant. This long awaited Rosé already displays all the elegance and finesse of an outstanding vintage.