Charles Heidsieck Coteaux Champenois 2017

This limited edition release of four individual Coteaux Champenois blancs offers a glimpse into the art of blending through the heart of the Champagne region. Coteaux Champenois (meaning Champagne hillsides) are still wines produced from the grapes of Champagne. These Coteaux Champenois wines come from four key Chardonnay crus that would normally be blended together during the production of Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs NV champagne.

Vinified and aged in 3-4 year old oak barrels for 15 months, with 100% malolactic fermentation, these wines have a textural richness characteristic of the non-vintage Blanc de Blanc Champagne they would typically become.

Cellar Master Cyril Brun commented: "The Coteaux Champenois have existed ever since vines first appeared in the Champagne region and tasting them helps us to understand the identity of our champagnes. Before the bubbles appear all our wines are still, and it is from these wines that our intuition guides our choice of blends. While we were tasting the wines from 2017, four barrels in particular made an impression on me. The gems amongst wines, my very favourites, can now be shared with all oenophiles eager to experience a facet of my work as a blender."

Villers-Marmery: Lively acidity with excellent ageing potential.
Villers-Marmery is a small commune where Chardonnay is an island in a sea of Pinot Noir. These Chardonnays differ from those of the Côte des Blancs, producing fine, clean wines with lemony notes. Lively and well-developed, they have refreshing acidity with long ageing potential.

Vertus: Mineral and generous.
With one of the largest areas under vine, the great diversity of wines from Vertus are due to the wide geographic location of the parcels. Pure with great mineralogy, the wines have citrus notes and a fresh, zesty character. The wine comes from the southern part of Vertus.

Oger: Rich and well-structured.
Oger, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, is the most atypical wine of the area, with great character, richness, strength and generosity. The wines are full-bodied and structured but lively.

Montgueux: Mature, exuberant and generous.
Montgueux is the most developed of the four crus. A village located on a limestone hill, it often opens the official grape harvest and produces ripe grapes with a tropical or yellow-fruit profile. The full-bodied roundness reminiscent of the Chardonnays of Burgundy.

Weather: Despite the challenges of the 2017 vintage, marked by frost and wet conditions, the year was one for Chardonnay to shine and these wines have an elegance and concentration that belies the challenges of the year.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: Villers-Marmery (Premier Cru), Vertus (Premier Cru), Oger (Grand Cru), Montgueux (Autre Cru)
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Ageing: Vinified for 15 months in oak barrels
Drink: Now to 2024

Tasting Note: A pale golden with a fine steam of bubbles. Aromas of peach, candied citrus with hints on lime, giving way to a freshness and tautness on the palate with tangerine and lemon on the mid palate. A finish of elegance and length, typical of the Charles Heidsieck style.

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