-
96
/ 100
Wine Enthusiast -
95
/ 100
Jeb Dunnuck -
95
/ 100
Decanter
Sparkling
Classification
Pinot/Chardonnay
Variety
2013
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
France
Country
Champagne,
Region
12.0%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
96 / 100"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."
- Wine Enthusiast
95 / 100
"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 is a 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. It will be interesting to see how the Pinot shows itself over time. 8 grams per liter dosage. Drink 2024-2044"
- Jeb Dunnuck
95 / 100
"An alluring, detailed aroma that is reserved and layered rather than hugely outgoing at present. There’s some maturity though, a measured weight of light apricot, ripe pear and pale strawberry fruit. Delicacy is the main theme, with touches of blossom, white peach, and only a quiet praline and caramelised apple richness. Less austere than the 2008, more focused than the 2012 and already quietly harmonious, this superb 2013 closes with chalkiness and verve. This could well prove the most finely tuned of the recent Charles Heidsieck vintage releases. 57% Pinot Noir, 43% Chardonnay with nine years on lees. Drink 2023 - 2040."
- Decanter
Tasting Notes
The 2013 vintage is treasured by Charles Heidsieck for its powerful and pure profile.
The vintage’s DNA is unique, marked by generosity, a rich texture and complemented by an exceptional freshness that crowns the harmony of the wine.
A short heat wave with important effects on the wines. 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, which is 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 wines are accordingly full-bodied and structured.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
- Smooth
- Complex