Limited Stocks. Price £205.00. In all regions of France the 2005 grape harvest was judged to be outstanding. 2005 offered perfect conditions for the Champagne region in particular: a cool dry winter, an early heat wave in June that encourage flowering, moderate rainfall in the summer, and, finally, the return of very hot weather at the beginning of September, perfect for grapes. Tasting Notes: Deep golden in appearance with generous effervescence. On the nose the aromas are autumnal and warm with notes of praline and lightly toasted hazelnuts. The palate is rich, as would be expected from a warm and generous vintage, with intense notes of dried apricots, dates and figs. Full bodied and layered, and lasting on the finish. Vintage 2005: This millésime was composed of 11 crus, including the vineyards that form the cornerstones of the house style – Oger, Avize, Vertus and Cramant for Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir from Mailly and Ambonnay. 2005 was a warm year without complications. An early heat wave in June encouraged flowering, there was moderate but sufficient rainfall through summer, followed by another heat wave in early September. Harvest began on the 9th September, giving full, ripe berries. Due to the heat and rain the berries were rich in sugar (for Champagne), and acidity levels were also above average, making it an ideal year to blend a vintage. Grape Variety: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay Residual Sugar 10.8g/l Vinification: After the first fermentation the wines were racked to separate the lees and then underwent malolactic fermentation to soften the natural acidity. After blending the two varietals, the cuvée was bottled and yeast added for second fermentation. The bottles were placed in the cellars in spring 2006, and remained ageing on lees for eight years. After disgorgement and dosage the wine was aged for a further six months before release. Background Information: Charles Heidsieck is one of most admired Champagne houses thanks to the unrivalled and consistently high quality of its wines. The current range is one of the most awarded collections of wines in the world, something underlined when Chef de Cave Thierry Roset was named ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ at the International Wine Challenge this year. This was the 15th time that Charles Heidsieck’s winemaking team had won this award, but the first for Thierry, who has been working at the house since 1988. He took over the reins in 2012, having worked with both the great Régis Camus and the legendary Daniel Thibault. This winemaking legacy, paired with the house’s flamboyant history since its foundation in 1851 by the man who would become known as ‘Champagne Charlie’, makes it a unique offering from Champagne: a house with great wines, champagne heritage and proven quality throughout its range. Charles Heidsieck benefit from the richness available across the entire Champagne region, having built exceptional relationships with the most experienced growers. They select grapes from 120 crus across the Champagne appellation.