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Charles Heidsieck Champagne Charlie "Cellared 2020" Base Vintage 2019

Tasting Notes

Based on the 2019 vintage, drawn from Bouzy and Vertus, and incorporating around 45% reserve wines—including significant proportions of 2009 Avize and 1996 Cramant—the latest NV Champagne Charlie Cellared in 2020 unveils a deep bouquet of nashi pear, peach, burnt butter toast, candied orange and lychee, mingling with quince and a touch of Sichuan pepper. On the palate, it is full-bodied and broad-shouldered, ample and textural, with a demonstrative fruit core, tangy acidity and pinpoint mousse, culminating in an expansive, saline-tinged finish. Marrying plenitude with tension, it was disgorged in 2024 with a dosage of eight grams per liter and is composed of 66% Chardonnay and 34% Pinot Noir.

95+
Kristaps Karklins, Wine Advocate, September 2025

66% Chardonnay I 34% Pinot Noir
45% Base vintage 2019: 32% Bouzy Grand Cru Pinot Noir I 23% Vertus Premier Cru Chardonnay
55% Reserve Wines: 20% Avize Grand Cru Chardonnay 2009 I 11% Cramant Grand Cru Chardonnay 1996
Disgorged 2024
Dosage 8g/L
Production: 8,000 bottles

TASTING NOTE FROM THE MAISON
TO THE NOSE Pronounced aromas of cacao and dark chocolate, underscored by delicate pastry nuances that reveal a bold and commanding character. This rich intensity gradually yields to a harmonious medley of fresh and candied yellow fruits — apricot, quetsche plum and peach — adding a sense of brightness and balance. Black fruit notes, including blackcurrant and blackberry, lend further depth and dimension. Beneath this vivid aromatic tapestry lie graceful floral hints of peony and vanilla blossom, interwoven with accents of liquorice, exotic spices, and a subtle touch of Espelette pepper, culminating in an exceptionally complex and distinctive bouquet.

Producer's Note, October 2026
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.