Charles Heidsieck : Blanc des Millénaires 2007

A silky and refined champagne from the Côte des Blancs

The estate

The Charles Heidsieck Champagne House is an unrivalled reference, boasting a prestigious heritage with two-thousand-year-old chalk cellars. A pioneer, Charles Heidsieck stood out in the late 1980s by highlighting the exceptional aromatic evolution of its multi-vintage Brut Champagne. In 1987, Charles Heidsieck was the first Champagne house to mention the "cellaring" date in order to follow the evolution of the wine over time.

The vineyard

The Blanc des Millénaires 2007 stems from 5 exceptional vineyards of the Côte des Blancs, in the Champagne region. The Chardonnay grapes from 4 Grands Crus and one Premier Cru are meticulously selected so that the unique characteristics of each terroir can be expressed. Thus, Avize provides its minerality and Cramant its complexity while Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger bring structure and balance. The Chardonnay grapes from Vertus lend their freshness and floral notes.

The champagne

Blancs des Millénaires embodies the perfect marriage between fine Chardonnay grapes and a rigorous winemaking process. Charles Heidsieck envisioned this champagne as a blend of only Chardonnay grapes, at a time when this style of champagne was still quite innovative. Since then, only seven vintages have been produced and the 2007 vintage is part of a long tradition that will be remembered for its great terroirs.

The vintage

The 2007 vintage resonates with the profile of the fine Blanc de Blancs Champagnes from the 1980s and 1990s. Indeed, the ripeness level is contained and the acidity is punchy. The year was particularly premature, especially when budbust occurred. The weather turned out to be mediocre, but this preserved the grape's acidity. The summer was cool and marked by abundant rainfall. This climate enhances the 2007 vintage’s uniqueness and is perfectly suited to the superb development of the Chardonnay grape variety.

The vinification

Blanc des Millénaires 2007 has been aged for nearly 15 years, including 10 years on lees in the two-thousand-year-old chalk cellars. This champagne has a dosage of 7 grams per litre.

The blend

Chardonnay (100%).

Blanc des Millénaires 2007: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour
Blanc des Millénaires 2007 showcases a pale gold colour with subtle green highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals the chalky minerality of the Côte des Blancs. Toasted and smoky notes knit together with fresh citrus fruit aromas such as grapefruit, yuzu and quince. The combination exudes liveliness and finesse, with creamy nuances and subtle hints of salted butter caramel in the background.

Palate
Blanc des Millénaires 2007 is a champagne with an enfolding texture and a very nice tension on the palate. Aromas of lemon meringue pie weave into saline notes and showcase the generosity of a silky and dynamic expression with a perfect structure on the palate and a long, round finish.

Food and wine pairing

Blanc des Millénaires 2007 will enhance fish roe, oysters, smoked eels but also dishes with seaweed, coriander, lemongrass and peppermint. Enjoy this champagne as an aperitif or with cheeses such as mozzarella, scamorza or pecorino di pienza.

Cellaring

Blanc des Millénaires 2007 will reveal all the layers of its complex expression until 2052.