94 points

Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve

James Suckling, James Suckling, November 2021

“Remarkable depth of mature aromas - tons of candied lemon peel, dried pear and brioche - plus wonderful textural richness on the palate make this stand out amongst the regular Brut NVs. Then comes the intense and very long, mineral finish to crown this prince of the category. Based on 2016 base wines, but with 52% reserve wines, almost a third of which were 10 to 20 years of age. Drink or hold.”

94 points

2005 Charles Heidsieck Millésimé Vintage Rosé

James Suckling, James Suckling, November 2021

“Striking nose of candied orange, dipped in bitter chocolate and tobacco leaf. Powerful and mouth-filling, with impressive textural richness. Now at its best, the dry finish fully mature, but complex and spicy. The color comes from about 7% pinot noir red wine, partly from the little known Les Riceys in the far south of Champagne. Drink now.”

98 points

2008 Charles Heidsieck Millésimé Vintage Rosé

James Suckling, James Suckling, November 2021

“An amazing 2008 rosé Champagne that has all the structure and aromatic complexity - sushi ginger, oolong tea and caramelized mandarin orange - we associate with this vintage, but also has more charm than most. On the palate, this has stunning concentration, yet is diamond bright. The interplay of creaminess, fine tannins and mineral acidity builds and builds at the breathtaking finish. The color comes from about 7% pinot noir red wine, partly from the little-known Les Riceys in the far south of Champagne. Drink or hold.”

92 points

Charles Heidsieck Rosé Réserve

James Suckling, James Suckling, November 2021

“A slew of red-berry, candied-orange and leaf-tea aromas welcomes you to this well-structured rosé Champagne. Bright acidity that’s quite pronounced at the slightly vegetal finish, but this also provides some tension. Based on 2014 base wines with 25% reserve wines, mostly of 3-8 years of age, the color coming from 5% pinot noir red wine from Les Riceys. Disgorged in 2021. Drink or hold.”

95 points

2012 Charles Heidsieck Millésimé Vintage Brut

James Suckling, James Suckling, November 2021

“Very lemony (blossoms, zest and candied peel), with some red-berry and fresh tobacco-leaf notes. Impressive richness and concentration, the creaminess from lees beautifully matched by the fine mousse and mineral freshness. The latter also powers the structured and saline finish that makes a serious statement. A blend of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, disgorged in 2020. Drink or hold.”

94 points

2008 Rare Millésimé Rosé

Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, December 2019

“This intense wine is chock full of red-fruit flavors and beautiful acidity. Still young it has structure as well as swathes of fruit. The concentration of flavors and ability to age further make it a great wine. Drink it ideally from 2022.”

97 points

2008 Rare Millésimé Rosé

Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, December 2019

“A vibrant Champagne, ballet-slipper pink in color, featuring intense flavors of nectarine, ripe raspberry, grilled nut, espresso and graphite, with a touch of dried sage, all riding the finely detailed mousse. Like a ballerina, this offers power in a graceful form. A beautiful skein of spice unravels on the lasting finish. Drink now through 2033. 2,000 cases made, 200 cases imported.”

98+ points

2008 Rare Millésimé Rosé

Jeb Dunnuck, November 2019

“The 2008 Champagne Rare Rosé is straight-up sensational. Only the second time they’ve produced this cuvée, it offers a deep, full-bodied, powerful yet chiseled and laser-focused style carrying loads of wild strawberry fruit as well as notes of orange blossom, spice, and crushed rocks. Backward, austere, yet simply loaded with potential, it needs a solid 4-5 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for two decades or more.”

95+ points

2008 Rare Millésimé Rosé

William Kelley, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, August 2019

“The 2008 Brut Rosé Cuvée Rare is the second rendition of this cuvée ever produced, and the wine is showing very well, unwinding in the glass with a youthfully shy nose featuring white cherries, blood orange, Meyer lemon, honeysuckle and dried white flowers that offers the promise of considerable complexity to come. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, racy and tight-knit, with good concentration, beautifully integrated acids and a fine mousse, concluding with a long, saline and delicately phenolic finish. This is really quite reserved after its recent disgorgement but should develop beautifully with a few years on cork.”

17.5 points

2008 Rare Millésimé Brut

Jancis Robinson, February 2021

“70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir from 11 crus (including Villers-Marmery, Vertus, Montgueux for Chardonnay and Aÿ, Verzy and Ambonnay for Pinot Noir). No oak. Full malo. Régis Camus left this blend on lees for 10 years and then aged it for a year after disgorgement in November 2019 with a dosage of 10 g/l. Interesting how difficult it is for this wine to shed its relationship with Piper-Heidsieck on search engines.Brilliant pale coppery colour. Mmmm! So concentrated and heady with a huge array of aromas including, amazingly, coconut – but not in a tarty way. Masses of tense lime fruit aromas. Very dense nose. Lifted and refreshing and this seems much more youthful than12 years old. It does rather remind me of Dom Pérignon with its concentration and density but I don't suppose that comment will necessarily be welcome with the winemaker. It's just so electric in texture. Truly an exciting, luxurious champagne.”