"A rich and toasty Champagne, with vivacious acidity backing the flavors of apple pastry and coffee, with just a touch of hard candy or treacle. The texture is delicate and refined, and the wine shows fine length overall. Drink now through 2016. 5,000 cases imported." (WS)
"Charles Heidsieck’s NV Brut Reserve is a fresh, floral wine with attractive pear and apple fruit, and an accessible personality. This is Lot 070792 12277, disgorged in 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2010.
Charles Heidsieck is one of Champagne’s historic houses. Charles-Camille Heidseick was an early pioneer in developing export markets for his wines as far back as 150 years ago. Today, this large estate based in Reims makes wines in an easygoing, pretty style." (WA)
"($40): Yellow-gold. Pungent aromas of orange pith, apple and yellow plum, with subtle nuttiness and a touch of baking spices. Ripe but lively on the palate, offering juicy orchard fruit flavors and a jolt of tangy citrus zest. Offers a harmonious blend of richness and energy, finishing with very good clarity and spicy persistence. " (IWC)
"Champagne Charlie Heidsieck made and lost and made again a fortune in the bubbly trade in the United States before and after the Civil War. For years thereafter, the market here was his best and biggest, and while the times have not been entirely kind to the brand, it still has a big following. This wine, while not wholly lacking in distinction, is now another in a long list of pricey and not entirely successful efforts. Its toasty aromas suggest a fair bit of age, but it does not rise above acceptable in its clean, slightly underfilled flavors. Reviewed: December 2011" (CG)
"A big boy with almost fleshy fruit. The flavors push into exotic, tropical richness yet retain spicy citrus-rind highlights. There is nothing clumsy, despite the ripeness; the finish seems to extend almost infinitely and keeps zinging you with surprises—marshmallow, marzipan, cookie dough, etc. An added bonus: the back label clearly indicates when it was bottled and cellared (2001)." (WE)
"True to its designation, this includes up to 40 percent reserve wines in the blend, which contribute a comforting richness to contrast the bright, green apple fruit. It has a plump, ginger cream flavor, the acidity chalky and dry enough to make that plumpness austere. Great with oysters, especially Alaskan oysters." (W&S) |
