Critic ratings
vinous
1995
Rating:
95
–95
The 1995 Brut Blanc des Millenaires shows just how compelling this often overlooked vintage can be. Layers of lemon, pastry spices, crushed rocks and savory herbs literally jump from the glass in this exquisite, perfumed, beautifully delineated Champagne. The 1995 shows lovely flavor complexity and nuance from its extended time in bottle, yet it also retains plenty of freshness, verve and acidity. This is a great showing from Charles Heidsieck. The 1995 was made before the tenure of the house's current team, headed by CEO Cécile Bonnefond. It will be very interesting to see what develops at this historic property over the coming years.
vinous
1995
Rating:
94
–94
(made from mostly grand cru chardonnay grown in Oger, Melsnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, Avize and some from premier cru Vertus; L138210-3002126): Vivid gold. Heady aromas of candied citrus fruits, flowers, truffle, gingerbread and iodine, with an intensely smoky overtone. Deep, pungent and palate-staining, with the orchard and pit fruit flavors reaching every corner of the palate and showing impressive power without any excess weight. Even more extroverted than last year's release, finishing with excellent cling and lingering smokiness.
vinous
1995
Rating:
93
–93
(L4122611172) Bright gold. Roomfilling, utterly seductive bouquet of orange, pear, jasmine, magnolia, white truffle and smoked meat. Deep, rich and broad, showing an array of orchard and citrus fruit flavors along with complicating nuances of toast, toffee and smoke. Finishes deep, rich and long, with a sappy quality. Fans of old-style Krug will love this, as will fans of white Burgundy.
vinous
1995
Rating:
92
–92
Pungent, highly complex nose offers ginger, quinine, flowers and oyster shell. Bright, minerally and firm-edged, with exotic suggestions of mango, oran ge and pineapple. Wonderfully precise blanc de blancs, with terrific sweetness of fruit for a dry wine. Finishes long, juicy and nuanced, with a lingering spicy character. Delicious now but capable of gaining in complexity over the next five to ten years.
robert_parker
2004
Rating:
95
–95
Disgorged in November 2017 after 13 years on the lees, the stunning 2004 Blanc des Millénaires is a worthy successor to the 1995. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of green apple, pear, brioche and fresh pastry that are framed by a lovely smoky, autolytic top note, the wine is full-bodied, ample and concentrated, with ripe acids, superb depth at the core and a textural, vinous quality while remaining very classical in profile. The finish is long and expansive. A blend of Chardonnay from Cramant, Avize, Oger, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Vertus, it saw nine grams per liter dosage. This is a terrific blanc de blancs from Charles Heidsieck that has a long and glorious future ahead of it. Sadly, the price of this cuvée has finally caught up with the quality.
robert_parker
1995
Rating:
96
–96
Drunk from a bottle that was disgorged in 2016, the 1995 Blanc des Millenaires continues to show very well, wafting from the glass with a complex bouquet of waxy citrus rind, dried pear, walnut oil, warm bread and fresh pastry. On the palate, it's full-bodied, enveloping and chalky, with a rich and muscular core, lively acids and a long, precise finish. Impeccably balanced, this is a cuvée I have drunk on many occasions and which used to be well-represented in my own cellar, but this is as good a bottle as I have ever encountered. In the plenitude of full-maturity, now is a great time to pop corks.
robert_parker
1995
Rating:
90
–90
Hiedsieck’s 1995 Blanc des Millenaires is gorgeous in its expression of honeyed apricots, roasted nuts, brioche and flowers. This mid-weight Champagne offers plenty of persistence with perfumed, sweet notes that linger on the finish. This is Lot 61012 11919, disgorged in 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018.
Charles Heidsieck is one of Champagne’s historic houses. Charles-Camille Heidseick was an early pioneer in developing export markets for his wines as far back as 150 years ago. Today, this large estate based in Reims makes wines in an easygoing, pretty style.
Importer: Remy Cointreau USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 424-2204
robert_parker
1995
Rating:
95
–95
Deep, pure and fresh on the fruit-intense and complex nose, the 1995 Blanc des Millenaires is still young and incredibly fresh on the palate. This is refreshingly pure, concentrated, fruity and perfectly round Champagne that reveals a great tension and mineral complexity. It also has a long and salty finish. Keep it for ten or 20 years.
robert_parker
1995
Rating:
94
–94
The 1995 Brut Blanc des Millenaires shows just how compelling this often overlooked vintage can be. Layers of lemon, pastry, spices, crushed rocks and savory herbs literally jump from the glass. An exquisite, perfumed, beautifully delineated Champagne, the 1995 shows lovely flavor complexity and nuance from its extended time in bottle, yet it also retains plenty of freshness, verve and acidity. This is a great showing from Charles Heidsieck. The 1995 was made before the tenure of the house’s current team, headed by CEO Cecile Bonnefond. It will be very interesting to see what develops at this historic property over the coming years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.
Importer: Remy Cointreau USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 424-2204
robert_parker
1985
Rating:
97
–97
Disgorged 20 years ago, the golden colored 1985 Blanc des Millenaires – comprised of 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir – displays a deep and beautifully matured nose with wax, honey, caramel and butterscotch aromas. Full-flavored, rich and highly elegant in the mouth, with great intensity, structure and complexity in the aromas, this 31-year-old prestige cuvée is fascinatingly vital – although there are almost no bubbles visible. There are dried stone fruit flavors in the finish. A great drinking experience.
robert_parker
1985
Rating:
91
–91
No Specific Tasting Note
vinous
2004
Rating:
93
–93
The 2004 Blanc des Millenaires offers a striking combination of freshness and the complexity that develops in bottle. Lemon confit, white flowers, mint and white pepper lend aromatic brilliance to this lithe, super-finessed Blanc des Blancs. I have long adored the 2004s from the Côtes des Blancs. The Blanc des Millenaires is another terrific example that shows just how good the best wines of the year are.
vinous
2006
Rating:
93
–93
The 2006 Blanc des Millenaires is a rich, punchy Champagne that captures all of the radiant intensity of this warm year. Apricot, lemon confit and tropical accents bring out the more extroverted side of Chardonnay. Warm, toasty brioche notes add to its considerable appeal. This is a terrific showing. Best of all, the 2006 will drink well right out of the gate.
