Charles Heidsieck : Blanc des Millénaires Collection Crayères 2006

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Blanc des Millénaires Collection Crayères 2006 by Charles Heidsieck

Tasting

Appearance
This champagne reveals a pale gold colour with silvery highlights, animated by a fine, persistent mousse that reflects the finesse of its craftsmanship.

Nose
The nose is complex and multidimensional, blending notes of ripe apple with delicate smoky nuances, touches of mango and biscuit, as well as chalky accents and candied orange zest.

Palate
The palate is full-bodied and complex, driven by delicate notes of pear and a characteristic saline minerality. Freshness remains pronounced despite the richness of the texture, with great length underscored by a subtle fruity sweetness on the finish and a hint of pomelo in the aftertaste.

Food and Wine Pairing

This champagne pairs beautifully with refined seafood such as lobster, langoustine or scallops served with light sauces. Its richness and aromatic complexity also make it a fine match for premium poultry prepared with creamy sauces, where its minerality and freshness balance the texture of the dish.

Serving and Cellaring

The Blanc des Millénaires Collection Crayères 2006 can be enjoyed now, at a stage of development that is already rich and complex, while retaining favourable ageing potential thanks to its mineral structure and freshness.

A Chalky, Sun-Kissed Blanc de Blancs from the Côte des Blancs, Crafted by Charles Heidsieck

The Estate

Founded in Reims in 1851 by Charles Camille Heidsieck, the House of Charles Heidsieck was built on the conviction that the quality of the cellars matters more than the size of the vineyard, which led in 1867 to the acquisition of Gallo-Roman chalk pits that became the heart of its ageing process. It has belonged to the EPI group, owned by the Descours family, since 2011. Its vineyard extends over 75 hectares in the Marne and the Aube, complemented by contracts with partner growers.

The Vineyard

This cuvée is made from a selection of crus from the Côte des Blancs, including Cramant, Avize, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Vertus. These Champagne terroirs, renowned for their chalky soils, offer Chardonnay ideal conditions to develop finesse, mineral tension and its characteristic salinity.

The Vintage

The 2006 vintage began with a cold winter, followed by a hot, sunny summer that favoured rapid ripening of the grapes. Rain in August helped preserve the freshness of the berries, before a bright September completed ripening in conditions balanced between richness and vivacity.

Vinification and Ageing

The Blanc des Millénaires Collection Crayères 2006 benefits from extended ageing in the House's Gallo-Roman chalk pits, an environment offering stable temperature and humidity that is particularly conducive to slow maturation. This extended ageing, combined with a late release onto the market, gives the cuvée a mature expression and heightened aromatic complexity.

Grape Variety

100% Chardonnay.