Brut Millésime 2008

The Brut Millésime 2008 from Charles Heidsieck is a champagne with weight. It is made of 60 per cent powerful Pinot Noir and 40 per cent Chardonnay, which brings freshness and drive. The grapes come from Premier and Grand Cru sites. More than ten years of ageing have given it depth, and its potential reaches well beyond that.

The mousse is very fine. On the nose, hazelnut meets candied citrus fruit. On the palate it begins taut and then grows fuller and rounder, with good length. Caramel and citrus appear on the finish. It needs food with substance, such as pan-fried veal sweetbreads, poultry in a cream sauce or aged Comté. Serve it at 10 to 12 °C in a white wine glass with a wide bowl.