The Friday Bubble – Review of Charles Heidsieck Cuvee Champagne Charlie NV with Essi Avellan MW and Nick Baker


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To celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Charles-Camille Heidsieck, the Champagne house has revived the much-loved Champagne Charlie bottling. But this time, it is a multi-vintage blend. The first Charles Heidsieck Cuvee Champagne Charlie NV, 2016-based release contains 80 percent reserve wines spanning almost two decades and 20% Aÿ Grand Cru Pinot Noir from the 2016 harvest. The final blend 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir going back down to 1998. Champagne Charlie is now planned to be made every few years.
96/100 Essi Avellan MW “Based on the 2016 vintage, this wine builds on its magnificent wealth of reserve wines. There is already high expression upon release, a super complex nose with vanilla, burned sugar, caramel and liquorice meeting tangerine, pineapple, dried apricots and honey. The sumptuously sweet character continues on the soothingly mellow palate oozing reserve wine richness. Here, the 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir going back down to 1998 blend harmoniously into something luxuriously textured. Perfectly balanced with its 7g/l dosage.”