A ‘Sleeping Beauty’ among Grandes Marques champagnes
Charles Heidsieck has been a Sleeping Beauty among Grandes Marques champagnes,’ noted Anthony Hanson MW, when Christie’s announced its historic sale of rare vintages directly from the house’s œnothèque (wine library) where they have been stored, in some cases for more than 50 years.
The sales on 7 December in London and 8-9 December in New York will be the first time that Charles Heid...
Wine Description
The Story
Paying homage to his historic cellars, Charles Heidsieck unveils its greatest treasure to œnophiles through a Collection called “Crayères”. Just like an old tome where every page recounts dazzling quests, an œnothèque of staggering vintages is to be revealed in a first edition of five incredible cuvées.
Time, like a “fourth varietal”, has crafted the soul of the wines in the Crayères Collection. Extended ageing on lees has unlocked the fu...
Vintage 1985
Severe winter temperatures and spring frosts did great damage, leaving many in the region unhopeful of a good year. The destruction was excessive especially in the northern Montagne de Reims, in the hillside vineyards west of Reims and in the Aube. The early summer weather did not raise the hopes, but finally fine September weather came to the rescue and yields ended up being better than feared (albeit tiny, 6,827 kg/ha) when picking commenced...
