Charles Heidsieck

La Collection Crayères | Bottle 75cl - Wooden case

Description

This Collection Crayères boxed set is absolutely exceptional. Limited to just 150 copies worldwide, it brings together 6 vintages of the famous Blancs des Millénaires cuvée, from 1982 to 2004.

The Blanc de Blancs 1982 develops more tension and toasty notes. This bottle was cellared in 1982 and disgorged in 1991. The 1982 vintage is considered by many to be the greatest that Champagne has ever known. This cuvée has a light color, with yellow and green highlights. The nose reveals a bouquet of candied citrus fruits, orange and tangerine. The nose of the 1982 vintage is fruity, with delicate grilled and smoky notes. On the palate, the attack is straightforward, carried by a lovely, fairly taut minerality.

Blanc des Millénaires 1983 evokes spice and citrus. It was cellared in 1984 and disgorged 10 years later, in 1994. It reveals an old gold hue, enhanced by amber reflections. Its effervescence is discreet. The nose is full-bodied, evoking citrus, herbs, undergrowth and toasty notes. The palate is balanced and mature. The palate is structured around the patina and texture of velvet. Notes of very ripe fruit, grapefruit zest, candied mandarin and sweet spices round out the complexity.

Blanc des Millénaires 1985 is a well-balanced Champagne, evocative of undergrowth. It was cellared in 1986. The color is a deep gold. Its nose evokes aromas of lightly stewed fruit, with hints of peanuts and licorice. Its complexity is captivating. On the palate, it's generous and dense, with a slight vegetal touch that brings exceptional freshness to the wine.

Blanc des Millénaires 1990 is characterized by remarkable freshness and length. It was cellared in 1991. It has a deep color with coppery highlights. On the nose, it's a champagne of character, with notes of cocoa, caramel and chocolate that evolve into a bouquet of undergrowth and truffles. On the palate, this is a generous, full-bodied wine, whose richness is enhanced by a subtle hint of bitterness. Notes of peanut butter and undergrowth punctuate the beautiful length of this Blanc des Millénaires.

Blanc des Millénaires 1995 is characterized by its texture and complexity. It was cellared in 1996. It has a luminous golden color. Its effervescence is fine and evanescent. The nose reveals aromas of dried and candied fruit, hazelnut, almond and date. A wine for aesthetes, with deep, bewitching aromas of beeswax and nougat. Finally, on the palate, we discover a cuvée with a voluptuous texture, creamy yet very fine. The wine asserts its generositý with notes of salted butter caramel, cream, citrus zest, roasted almonds, spices, and cedar wood. The finish is surprisingly fresh.

Finally, Blanc des Millénaires 2004, Charles Heidsieck's latest creation, is defined by its youth and power. This bottle was cellared in 2005 and disgorged in 2016. Its color is sparkling, with a fine, evanescent effervescence. Elegant notes of lemon, apple, salted butter and toasted almonds assert themselves on the nose, along with nuances reminiscent of custard. On the palate, citrus freshness gives the wine a fresh, taut character, before a certain power gradually emerges. The mouthfeel is dynamic and perfectly structured, with a long, round finish. The rich texture is anchored in a vintage still on tension and youth: the lacy touch of bubbles lets a still youthful mineralitý shine through.