Pulling Out All The Stops
1995 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires
Blanc de Blancs Aristocracy
"The 1995 Brut Blanc des Millenaires shows just how compelling this often overlooked vintage can be... This is a great showing from Charles Heidsieck." -Antonio Galloni
Besides 1995, Blanc des Millénaires has only been released in 1983, 1985 and 1990. This ruthless selectivity shows in this beautifully aristocratic blanc de blancs.
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he quality that this vintage Champagne delivers and how well it's drinking, the value it offers is really impressive. Blanc des Millénaires is sourced from the Côte des Blancs' best sites - the Grand Crus of Avize, Mesnil, Oger and Cramant and the 1er Cru Vertus. From there, it spends over 15 years in gallo-roman chalk cellars dating from the 2nd century. To say that Charles Heidsieck goes above and beyond with Blanc des Millénaires is an understatement.
And it shows. Blanc des Millénaires delivers a shocking combination of class and concentration. There's a palate saturating richness, but also the fineness and detail that marks the best blanc de blancs. There's a deep minerality that combines with creamy citrus and intriguing notes of spice.
Each time I taste 1995 Blanc des Millénaires, I'm stunned. This is one of the most impressive examples of 1995 Champagne. In general, Blanc des Millénaires deserves a place in the pantheon of great 100% Chardonnay Champagnes.
1995 is a vintage that defies any easy headlines, which helps to explain why it hasn't gotten its due -- not to mention that everyone had their eyes on 1996. There was a bit of everything: frost, hot temperatures and rain. On paper, it's a warm vintage, but it's a lot more complex than that. The acidity of 1995 is quite high with a ripeness that is just about perfect (it is more akin to the cool vintages of 1979 and 1988). With some time in bottle, 1995's reputation has really grown. Blanc des Millénaires seems to come up in every informed discussion of the best 1995s.
Blanc des Millénaires is one of Champagne's under-the-radar tête de cuvée bottles that I strongly recommend you purchase for drinking now and cellaring.
To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Robert Schagrin
Managing Partner
Crush Wine & Spirits