Mission Codename Peerless
How about a South Pacific overwater bungalow getaway? Close as we can get in liquid form anyway…
Cause there’s wine, and then there’s Champagne. Like GREAT Champagne. Like one of the wine world’s greatest Champagnes ever at HALF PRICE! Kidding me???
There have been few mythical Blanc de Blancs vintages worthy of a Blanc des Millénaires since the inaugural 1983, namely 1985, 1990, and 1995. Vinous describes the harvest for this 5th Edition as; “focused, brilliant, especially in the Côte des Blancs, where Champagne sizzles with real energy.” Even with a massive discount, we know this ain’t exactly cheap. A Rolex isn’t either. Nor should it be at that level of quality, like any luxury good that adorns a Robb Report cover making even billionaires drool. Well, we hit a small GOLDMINE of this breathtaking near-perfectly rated beauty for you, but we sincerely wish the supply wasn’t so finite.
Assurances affirming why this is a steal like no other are too many to list here, so here is a not to miss Paris Match article, and other select praise below, while we recommend that you secure your bottles first, then read on…
98 Points – Decanter
Platinum, Best in Show, World Wine Awards 2019. “100% Chardonnay. This Blanc de Blancs Champagne is a bright morning gold in colour, with fine-seamed bubbles and rich, expressive and expansive aromas. Beaten cream, pounded hazels, a hint of baking apples, brioche fresh from the oven. But all these notes are drawn with great subtlety, underscoring the fruit quality of the Chardonnay vineyards used in this blend. On the palate, the wine retains all that aromatic grace and amplitude, marrying it to a shapely fruit presence, vibrant though now well-rounded acidity and textural charm, too. A head-turner. Drink 2019-2028.”
18.5+ – Jancis Robinson
“A truly luxurious Champagne… Treat yourself to a really special bottle to see in the next decade, or to share with some very special people… This wine was my favourite in a recent blind comparison of 2002 and 2004 prestige Champagnes. Yet it was far from the most expensive. It easily withstood comparison with the likes of Krug, Dom Pérignon, Cristal, Comtes de Champagne, Bollinger RD, Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill and Dom Ruinart that sell at prices up to £375 ($460) a bottle. I loved the sheer confidence, appeal and completeness of this all-Chardonnay wine, always based on ingredients from four of the finest Grand Cru villages on the Côte des Blancs…”
95 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Disgorged in November 2017 after 13 years on the lees, the stunning 2004 Blanc des Millénaires is a worthy successor to the 1995. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of green apple, pear, brioche and fresh pastry that are framed by a lovely smoky, autolytic top note, the wine is full-bodied, ample and concentrated, with ripe acids, superb depth at the core and a textural, vinous quality while remaining very classical in profile. The finish is long and expansive. A blend of Chardonnay from Cramant, Avize, Oger, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Vertus, it saw nine grams per liter dosage. This is a terrific Blanc de Blancs from Charles Heidsieck that has a long and glorious future ahead of it. Sadly, the price of this cuvée has finally caught up with the quality. Drink 2018-2040.”
95 Points –Wine Spectator
“A seamless Champagne, showing a texture of raw silk, this weaves vibrant acidity with an expressive range of glazed apple and poached white cherry fruit flavors, with pickled ginger and saffron spice details and rich notes of pastry cream, toast and coffee liqueur. More about finesse than power, this is long and creamy on the mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2028. 90 cases imported.”
What the Winery Says
2004 'Blanc des Millénaires' Brut Blanc de Blancs
- Winemaker
- Cyril Brun
- Varietal
- 100% Chardonnay
- Vintage
- 2004
- Appellation
- Côte des Blancs, Marne, France
- Vineyards
- Grands Crus Cramant, Avize, Oger, Le Mesnil, Premier Cru Vertus
- Alcohol
- 12%
- Dosage
- 9 g/L
- Aging
- 13 years on the fine lees
- Cellared
- In 1 of the 6 natural chalk caves in all of Champagne
- Disgorgement
- November 2017