An exceptional personality encapsulated in a legendary cuvée

HOW DO YOU GET A FOUNDER INSIDE A BOTTLE?

Everyone knows about the genie inside the lamp. You rub the lamp, and the genie pops out. For the Champagne Charlie cuvée, we were faced with the reverse: we had to take inspiration from history, starting with the founder’s character, Charles-Camille Heidsieck (1822 - 1893), to create a champagne wine worthy of his character.

A TASTE OF HISTORY, A SCENT OF LEGEND…
AND A CERTAIN TALENT FOR HAPPINESS.

The Champagne Charlie legend is intertwined with the soul of a man who bequeathed so many new ideas to his House, and who knew what it was to be an entrepreneur, a gentleman and an innovator. Free-spirited and adventurous, his inspiration was enough to encourage his heirs today to recreate a cuvée in his name and, more particularly, in his nickname.

 

The Charles Heidsieck House and the spirit of Charlie invites you to savor times gone by while letting yourself be transported by a desire to form emotions, friendships and lasting dreams. Time has the power to amplify happiness.

AN IMPORTANT LEGACY: THE ART OF BLENDING

Charles Heidsieck transmitted an important legacy: the art of blending. While his competitors focused on meticulously selecting crus, vines and varietals, he concentrated on establishing agreements with the most gifted winegrowers in Champagne, picking out wines from a large range of villages. He could turn every cuvée to good effect, leaving each to age at its own pace, depending on its character, until full maturity. One bottle of Charles Heidsieck wine can contain up to almost 60 different crus, each differing in cellaring times but generally longer than the average time.
 
In addition, our art of blending ensures that Charles Heidsieck wines boast good cellaring potential. The Champagne Charlie cuvée will be one of the most distinctive from an ageing point of view: a large part of the blend comes from réserve wines aged on lees for up to 25 years.

Cellared in 2020

Close to 55% matured réserve wines and 45% wines from 2019.
34% Pinot Noir and 66% Chardonnay.

To the eye

A dazzling luminous robe accompanied by bronze, white gold and green hues.

On the nose

The wine releases notes of cacao and chocolate with pastry undertones to showcase a bold, powerful character. This dark potency gives way to balanced aromas of fresh and candied yellow fruits, apricot, quetsche plum and peach. Aromas of black fruit (blackcurrants and blackberries) are also present. Underpinning this intense and unique aromatic profile are floral notes of peony, vanilla flower, liquorice, spices and even Espelette pepper to complete an already complex aromatic palette.

On the palate

Extremely powerful and full-bodied on the attack, with a full and creamy texture emerging to reveal the structure of a distinctly bold wine. The aromatic complexity discovered on the nose unfolds through the structure across all dimensions. The finish unveils liquorice and orange bitter accents with a subtle touch of woodiness.