Charles Heidsieck Brut Millesime 2013 (Champagne, France) - [WE 96] [DM 95] [JS 94] [WA 93] [WS 93]

Charles Heidsieck Brut Millesime 2013
(Champagne, France) - [WE 96] [DM 95] [JS 94] [WA 93] [WS 93]


Regular price $200.00 Sale price $149.97 Save $50.03
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WE96 DM95 JS94 WA93 WS93
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About the winery:
The winery was founded in 1851 by 28-year-old Charles-Camille Heidsieck. The very next year he took the unusual step, at that time, of journeying to the United States to sell his Champagne. In fact, he was the first Champagne producer to visit the U.S.A.  "Champagne Charlie", as he became known, was a gracious gentleman and a born salesman, personally selling 300,000 bottles of his Champagne in the U.S. in one year! With a beginning like that, you would think that Charles Heidsieck would be a big-selling, well-known Champagne in the U.S. and throughout the world. But it is not.

The winery has undergone a number of changes of control during the 20th century and in 1985, Rémy Martin Cognac (a.k.a. Rémy-Cointreau) purchased both Champagnes Charles Heidsieck and Piper-Heidsieck(it had purchased Champagne Krug previously). Rémy-Cointreau's first move was to re-hire the brilliant Daniel Thibault in 1986 to be Chef de Caves for Charles Heidsieck. Régis Camus joined Charles Heidsieck as assistant winemaker in 1994 and has been the head winemaker of the House since 2002, since the untimely death of Daniel Thibault. In 2011, the winery was sold to the privately-owned French luxury goods group EPI founded by Christopher Descours (of Ralph Lauren fame).

Notes From The Winemaker:

The Charles Heidsieck 2013 Brut Millésimé is comprised of ten Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims Grands and Premiers Crus meticulously selected by the House. This cuvée immediately entices the palate with its power, aromatic intensity and saline crispness, the House’s emblematic signatures. Fruit of an unconventional year, the wine stands out for its elegance and complexity, a wine worthy of long cellaring and fine cuisine.

10 Grands et Premiers Crus – Oger, Vertus, Chouilly, Cuis, Verzy, Aÿ, Ludes, Ambonnay, Tauxières, Avenay

Blend: 57 % Pinot Noir, 43% Chardonnay
Dosage: 9g/l

Some people will not hesitate to compare this vintage to spectacularly hot years like 1995 or 2003. Following an extremely cold winter and spring without any notable impact from frost, the short-lived summer heat waves led to a phenolic maturity that, although late, was much higher than average. The almost autumn-like conditions at the end of the maturation process postponed the harvest to mid-September, and even early October in certain sectors, exceptionally late when compared to harvests in recent Champagne history. Thankfully, rainfall during the harvest came just in time to amend the extraordinarily intense maturity. The juices are accordingly full-bodied and structured.

Tasting Notes:

TO THE EYE: A beautiful golden robe offers glints of green accentuated by a delicate, dynamic effervescence.


ON THE NOSE: The initial nose introduces intense toasted and smoky notes along with ripe fruit. When swirled in the glass, the nose takes on a heartier dimension with touches of apricot and vineyard peaches. The aromatic concentration, due to a heat wave of several weeks, is reminiscent of the summer sun.


ON THE PALATE: The attack is taut and decisive. the creamy texture, the crisp fruitiness and spiced notes of cinnamon, liquorice and pepper are the hallmark of the House style.

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast
“Aged for eight years on the lees before disgorgement, the Champagne is deliciously toasty with acidity and fine dryness. Balanced and now finely mature, this great wine is ready to drink.”

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Disgorged in January of 2023, the 2013 Champagne Millésime Brut was the last vintage
from the cellar master for Heidsieck prior to Cyril Brun. The 2013 Champagne Millésime Brut isa bright straw yellow color and is based on the crus of Les Mesnil, Avize, Averney, and Aÿ. It’s fresh with aromas of wet stones, fresh quince, and fresh jasmine flowers. It has a chalky and focused texture, with ripeness to balance it out, and a long, graceful finish. At this stage, it feels more forward with 57% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay. A more mineral-tinged expression, it has a lot of charm and the promise of longevity over the coming two decades. Drink 2024-2044. It will be interesting to see how the Pinot shows itself over time. 8 grams per liter dosage." – Audrey Frick (Mov 2023)

94 Points - James Suckling
A very striking nose with Reine Claude plums, old-fashioned apple varieties and some
Nordic herbs. Structured and crisp with a very firm core, the finish driving and full of energy. Rich long finish with a chalky core. 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, the make up of the blend very unconventional for this house. Drink or hold." (July 2023)

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The bouquet of the 2013 Brut Millésimé is compellingly fresh and minty, complicated by
notes of white fruit—notably pear and apple—citrus and gentle spices, as well as a light touch of smoke. With aeration, elegant pastry notes come to the fore. On the palate, this is a structured, tension-filled but airborne Champagne with racy acidity, fleshy and charming texture and a long, penetrating finish. It should age well over the next eight to 10 years. Disgorged in 2022 with nine grams per liter, this is a blend of 57% Pinot Noir and 43% Chardonnay." - Yohan Castaing (Apr 2023)

93 Points - Wine Spectator
"Features flavors of crème de cassis, lemon curd, poached apricot and smoked almond
framed by well-cut, crunchy acidity, lending fine definition and vibrancy. A broad-shouldered Champagne that's lacy in texture, with a long finish of spices and grapefruit zest. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged 2022. Drink now through 2028. 100 cases imported." – Alison Napjus (Nov 2023)