In 1851, at the age of 29, Charles Heidsieck (aka Champagne Charlie) founded his own Champagne house after growing up surrounded by grapes with a great-uncle who ran his own winery. Charles quickly became known for pushing the envelope and trialing new methods, a risque philosophy during a period of following suit and bowing to tradition, but one that paid off as his name – and wines – took off around the world. Since 2011, the Descours family has run the house, though continues with the ethos and processes that the Heidsieck family set in motion – like aging their Champagnes in ancient chalk cellars for at least four years, and using specifically-shaped bottles, the “crayere bouteille,” meant to mimic the natural arc of the cellars.

This 2013 vintage Brut is a blend of 57% Pinot Noir and 43% Chardonnay from 10 highly sought-after Premier and Grand Cru villages in the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs. After an exceptional minimum 8 years aging on the lees, a Brut dosage amplifies the roundness and fruit flavors, while preserving the signature Charles Heidsieck silkiness in a bottling that is undeniably exceptional now, and only stands to get better over the next 5 to 10 years. For reference, pedigreed Champagnes with lees aging reaching up toward 10 years like this can easily (and often do) fetch double or triple the price, or even higher, than this incredible wine!

Pop this open and notice its lovely straw color and a faint yeasty autolytic note on the nose that also repeats on the palate – a side effect of the wine’s lengthy aging time in 2,000-year-old chalk cellars. As such, you’ll also experience a distinct taste of sourdough bread and fresh-washed brie rind that enhances the interest of this wine, blended with some poached pear and roasted mushroom notes that really turn up the volume. The palate is incredibly fresh and lively, with green apple, dried apricot, and white peach, plus tiny, well-integrated bubbles that have a superb energy, along with a chalky, mineral-tinged, lengthy finish. This is as adventurous as a trek through all 10 of the crus the fruit is sourced from – a downright crusade of pleasure that you’ll be glad you joined! You’d do well to snag at least a couple of these pedigreed, long-appreciated, amazingly complex Champagnes!