A Champagne Classic Returns: 95 Points & Under $50

My jaw almost dropped when I learned the story of the new Charles Heidsieck from Cecile Bonnefond, the CEO of both Charles and Piper. Instead of the normal package change / price increase rationalized by increased international demand, this wine had been improved at great cost to the producer before the price went up! The new package contains a selection of half the vineyard sites of the old one, and older reserve wines. The result is non-vintage Champagne that is better than most big house vintage wines and a stronger value now at the current price than the old Charles was at $34.99. In the years since the change, this bottling has gone from strength to strength as the average age of the reserve wines inside has increased. When we poured this at a recent in-store tasting on House Style it was one of the stars of the night. This Champagne has depth, combining maturity and freshness, nutty intrigue and minerality!

—Gary Westby, K&L Champagne Buyer

92 points Wine Advocate: "Based on the 2019 vintage and enriched by 50% reserve winesstored in steel tanks and incorporating some 100 individual wines, averaging a decade in ageCharles Heidsiecks NV Brut Réserve opens with aromas of candied lemon peel, ripe pear and pineapple mingling with buttered toast and a hint of burnt sugar. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, charming and textural, with a sweet and fleshy fruit core, succulent yet vibrant acidity and a persistent, toasty finish. Disgorged in 2024 with a dosage of nine grams per liter, after nearly four years aging sur lattes, it represents another strong rendition of this reliable cuvée. (KK)" (09/2025)

92 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 base was disgorged in 2024, and the NV Champagne Reserve Brut, with the oldest wine in the blend, is around 20 years old, while the heart of the blend averages ten years of age. It pours a golden yellow color and offers a signature style with a frothy mousse, brioche, almond skin, apricot, and preserved citrus. Medium to full-bodied, it expands on the palate, with a rounded mouthfeel and a chalky richness of texture. (AF)" (12/2025)

92 points John Gilman: "This is the same iteration of Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve that I reported on a year ago, with the wine hailing from the base year of 2016 and having been disgorged in 2020. It has opened up nicely since that time, with the bouquet now delivering scents of apple, peach, chalky soil tones, fresh-baked bread, just a touch of buttery oak and plenty of upper register smokiness. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, crisp and complex, with a good core, lovely soil undertow, zesty acids, refined mousse and fine length and grip on the well balanced finish. This bottling always includes forty percent reserve wines in the blend. Good juice." (04/2025)

92 points Wine Spectator: "Hints of brioche and lemon meringue pie enrich the flavors of cassis and apricot fruit, pickled ginger, smoke and roasted hazelnut in this classy Champagne, backed by vibrant acidity. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. (AN)" (09/2025)