Paying homage to his historic cellars, Charles Heidsieck unveils its greatest treasure to œnophiles through a Collection called "Crayères". Le temps, tel un "quatrième cépage", a forgé une âme aux vins de la Collection Crayères.

Time, like a “fourth varietal”, has crafted the soul of the wines in the Crayères Collection.

FOURTH Edition

This fourth edition honours five of the oldest vintage and non-vintage Bruts and showcases their exceptional capacity for withstanding time, their incredible aromatic opulence and their structure after several decades of cellaring.

A commemoration of the art and concept of « Mis en Cave », this collection opens the door to one of the most exceptional sensory experiences.

The occasion for a journey of more than thirty years through time, for an exclusive number of collectors only.

Like a dazzling moment of enchantment, a feeling fraught with sharing, generously magnified by History.

 

The vintages

2000 IN CHAMPAGNE: 

Following flowering, the grapes were abundant and beautiful. Then a torrent of storms and hail starting in April looked as though it would jeopardize everything. The grape bunches that escaped disaster were threatened with mildew and botrytis. However, sunny days during the harvest enabled the grapes to boast all the necessary characteristics for potentially excellent wines.

BLEND:

60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay

MIS EN CAVE :

2001

DISGORGEMENT:

2012

BOTTLES AVAILABLE :

1240

 

TASTING

TO THE EYE: a golden robe with glints of green and refined bubbles for creamy, generous streams of effervescence.

ONTHE NOSE: the nose first offers toasted notes, leading to fruity accents of tangerine, mango and kumquat before final aromas of fresh fruits. 

ON THE PALATE: the palate retains a touch of positive firmness, hinting at good ageing potential. The finish is highlighted with spiced peppery notes.

1990 IN CHAMPAGNE: 

Despite severe frosts in the spring, the vineyards enjoyed hot weather throughout the growing cycle. Not since 1950 had the sun been so strong; grapes had never experienced so much sunlight. There was, however, no drought like in 1976 or 1959. Just at the perfect moment, as the situation became dire, it would rain. As a result, the vine stocks, deeply rooted in the chalky soil’s water reserves, did not suffer. The heat hindered the development of disease and parasites, leading to perfectly healthy grapes at the harvest.

BLEND:

65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay

MIS EN CAVE :

1991

DISGORGEMENT:

1999

AVAILABLE BOTTLES :

420

TASTING

TO THE EYE: A golden robe with glints of copper sparkling with delicate ephemeral bubbles.

ON THE NOSE: A touch of wood upon opening with dominant earthy notes of truffles and forest undergrowth. Airing the wine develops aromas of light tobacco, candied quince, blueberries, liquorice, nougat and caramel, followed by scents of Muscat, Gewürztraminer, fern and chestnuts.

ON THE PALATE: The mouthfeel is opulent, rich and creamy with the vintage’s characteristic warmth at the finish.

 

 

1990 IN CHAMPAGNE: 

Despite severe frosts in the spring, the vineyards enjoyed hot weather throughout the growing cycle. Not since 1950 had the sun been so strong; grapes had never experienced so much sunlight. There was, however, no drought like in 1976 or 1959. Just at the perfect moment, as the situation became dire, it would rain. As a result, the vine stocks, deeply rooted in the chalky soil’s water reserves, did not suffer. The heat hindered the development of disease and parasites, leading to perfectly healthy grapes at the harvest.

BLEND:

65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay

MIS EN CAVE :

1991

DISGORGEMENT:

1999

AVAILABLE BOTTLES :

90

TASTING

TO THE EYE: A golden robe shimmering with generous bubbles for a rich creamy effervescence.

ON THE NOSE: The initial nose is toasty with notes of mocha and liquorice, followed by a bouquet of candied citrus and roasted pineapple, along with mineral fragrances.

ON THE PALATE: The full body is highlighted by spiced notes of cinnamon and cloves, underlined by touches of blueberries, waxy menthol and meringue.

Mis en Caves

 

A REVOLUTIONARY CONCEPT

Like a good wine, good champagne ages well... Although it must preserve its style. And uniqueness and complexity are a given at Charles Heidsieck. While some may still be sceptical as to the value of ageing non-vintage champagnes, Charles Heidsieck offers them conclusive proof of the potential.

At the end of the 1980s, the House was the very first to showcase the exceptional capacity of its non-vintage Brut to develop excellent aromas by indicating a detail on bottles that hitherto had never been revealed in Champagne: the year of cellaring.

An informed consumer could thus know the harvest year to calculate the cellaring period and thereby assess this influence of this information on the wine itself. Depending on the year of cellaring, each wine develops a particular personality while remaining in line with the array of tastes that define the Charles Heidsieck style. This diversity of nuances over time is the result of the exceptional richness of the blending process and the emphasis on quality at each stage of production.

No one in Champagne had ever launched such a challenge to time.

Today the House pays tribute to this innovative concept by releasing several bottles cellared in 1987, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2001.

BLEND:

640% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Meunier

MIS EN CAVE :

1990

DISGORGEMENT:

1993

AVAILABLE BOTTLES :

420

TASTING

TO THE EYE: A golden robe with glints of copper interwoven with delicate bubbles in a creamy, abundant effervescence.

ON THE NOSE: The initial nose opens on aromas of ginger root, liquorice, mocha, candied grapefruit and roasted peach. When left to air, notes of tangerine, pineapple and mango appear. This fruitiness is then complemented by subtle touches of flint, menthol, eucalyptus and passion fruit.

ON THE palate: The full body and effervescence linger on the palate.

blend:

38% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay, 23% Pinot Meunier

MIS EN CAVE :

1995

disgorgement:

2000

available bottles :

420

tasting

to the eye: A deep golden robe with green glints and a delicate effervescence.

oN the NOSE: Earthy aromas initially dominate before being tempered by indulgent scents of cooked mirabelle plums, poached pears and blackcurrants. Then come subtle spiced notes of clove.

oN THE PALATE: The palate is mineral and silky with a plush dosage at the finish.

BLEND:

41% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 19% Pinot Meunier

MIS EN CAVE :

2000

DISGORGEMENT:

2004

AVAILABLE BOTTLES :

420

TASTING

TO THE EYE: A golden robe with glints of copper and generous effervescence.

ON THE NOSE: A resonance of candied fruits initially dominates, leading to a floral bouquet underpinned with scents of jasmine and violets.

oN THE PALATE: The tasting reveals toasted notes along with figs, dates, salted caramel, undergrowth, liquorice and cedar. The finish is long and silky with sweet touches of crème brulée.

BLEND: 

37% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay, 21% Pinot Meunier

MIS EN CAVE :

2001

DISGORGEMENT:

2006

AVAILABLE BOTTLES :

240

TASTING

TO THE EYE: A verdant gold robe with abundant effervescence.

ON THE NOSE: The nose reveals toasted aromas of light tobacco, liquorice, white peppercorn, nougat and candied quince.

oN THE PALATE: The wine asserts its generosity with notes of liquorice, pepper, lemon balm, eucalyptus and passion fruit. A combination of flavours then appears with touches of roasted peanuts, mocha, toasted brioche, golden rum and cashew nuts. The finish opens with a noble bitterness and notes of camphor, candied lemon and blood oranges.

BLEND :

46% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Meunier

MIS EN CAVE : 

1987

DISGORGEMENT :

2020

AVAILABLE BOTTLES :

87

TASTING

TO THE EYE: The robe is golden with elegant green glints and a generous, delicate effervescence.

ON THE NOSE: Toasted notes initially dominate along with mineral and smoky fragrances. When left to air, aromas of candied ginger, liquorice and roasted peanuts appear.

ON THE PALATE: The palate is crisp and delicately taut, highlighted by beautiful vitality.

« Au sein de ces caves pétillent encore l’inventivité, les audaces et les inspirations de Charles-Camille Heidsieck, fondateur de la Maison. » Cyril Brun