Brut Vintage Champagne 2012 Gift Box

94 points and Silver Medal, “Engaging scents of dried fruit and buttered toast. Vivid entry to the palate with crisp notes of gooseberry, grapefruit and peach. Long, intense finish.” – Decanter World Wine Awards 2020

94 points, “The 2012 Brut Millésimé offers up aromas of crisp orchard fruit, white flowers and clear honey, complemented by hints of toasted bread, citrus zest and linden. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly fleshy and nicely concentrated, with lively acids and a pinpoint mousse, it's more generous and demonstrative than the 2008, but it will nonetheless reward a bit of bottle age.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

One of the smallest of the Grandes Marques, this family-owned estate produces award-winning Champagne. Not having the big marketing budget of some of the larger houses, Charles Heidsieck often seems to fly under the radar, but it’s universally loved by all who work in the fine wine industry – as proven by the fact that between them, the winemaking team have been named ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ at the International Wine Challenge 16 times.

Despite being quite stressful and complicated in the vineyards, 2012 has been described by respected wine critic Jancis Robinson as “an exceptional vintage in Champagne”, particularly for the Pinot Noir that dominates Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésimé. All in all, this looks like a vintage that’s perfectly set for long ageing. So, we recommend tucking a couple of these away in the cellar…

The grapes for Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésimé 2012 come from ten Grands and Premiers Crus (Aÿ, Oger, Vertus, Chouilly, Ludes and Cuis for the Chardonnay, and Ambonnay, Tauxières and Avenay for the Pinot Noir). It was aged for around six years on the lees in their chalk cellars before disgorging it, twice as long as legally required. And that goes some way to explaining the immense depth and complexity of their house style. Intense and golden, it fills the nose with notes of smoky toast, apricot flapjack, lemon zest and dried fruits. On the palate, it’s velvety with orchard blossom, peaches and cream, and a breakfasty combo of gooseberry jam, grapefruit and buttered toast. Pull this out of the collection for lavish breakfasts on big occasions, or save it for Christmas Day a few years from now.