Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Magnum 1.5L, Champagne

A deep golden hue. Delicate vivacious and long-lasting bubbles are the result of a long and slow maturing process in chalk cray graves (underground cellars).

With 40% of reserve wines, the blend offers a complex, voluptuous nose with notes of freshly baked brioche and the richness of toasted notes and sun-drenched fruits - mango, apricot and greengage plum - along with a touch of dried fruits, pistachio and almond. The meticulous selection of crus ensures the delicious and sophisticated harmony of this champagne.

The texture is reminiscent of a crisp layer of nougatine (red nougat) on a velvety cream pastry filled with plump, red plums and ripe cherries. The reserve wines, some dating back more than 15 years, give the wine lushness. The depth of the two-thousand year old chalk cellars where the wine matures offer a touch of praline along with glazed notes and vanilla.

60% 2007; 40% reserve wines; 60 crus; 3 years in cellars; bottled 2008; 11g/L dosage

A medium yellow colour and dried flower and autumn leaf notes reflect maturity of a high proportion of reserve wines and long aging on lees. A beautifully alluring champagne of comfortable, soft, rounded generosity of honey, white peach and anise, freshened with well-balanced acidity. Lingering chalk minerality provides structure to gentle, caressing persistence

94 points Tyson Stelzer