Charles Heidsieck

Name: Blanc des millénaires 1996
Brand: Charles Heidsieck
SKU: CHeidsieckBdMillénaires1996
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (16 reviews)

Blanc des millénaires 1996 75cl

THE CUVÉES OF MAISON CHARLES HEIDSIECK

460,00 € incl. VAT In stock

Notes & tasting

The expert verdict

Discover the score awarded to this cuvée

Presentation

Taste

Originality

Value for money

98 /100

Aromatic profile

The structure of this champagne

Four dimensions to capture its balance

Freshness

The naturally razor-sharp acidity of the 1996 vintage, amplified by pure Chardonnay from the chalky Grands Crus, delivers a keen and lingering vivacity.

Roundness

Twenty-four years of ageing on lees have woven a creamy, enveloping texture, gracefully balancing the calcareous minerality of the Côte des Blancs.

Depth

The aromatic breadth — candied citrus, toasted hazelnut, brioche — expresses a wide-ranging complexity that is the hallmark of the house's prestige cuvées.

Length

The saline, chalky finish lingers with exceptional aromatic persistence, the unmistakable signature of the greatest Champenois vintages.

TASTING NOTES

The colour is a luminous pale gold with warm golden highlights, enlivened by a fine and persistent effervescence. On the nose, sumptuous complexity unfolds through damp chalk, preserved lemon zest, toasted brioche, hazelnut and a delicate whisper of jasmine. On the palate, the texture is remarkably creamy and dense, underpinned by the razor-sharp acidity that is the hallmark of 1996, before a saline and mineral finish of exceptional length.

Blend & terroirs

The composition

Discover this wine's DNA

9g/LDosage

100%Chardonnay

Terroirs

An assemblage of five emblematic Grands Crus from the Côte des Blancs — Cramant, Avize, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Vertus — this cuvée expresses the very quintessence of Champenois Chardonnay grown on its marine-origin chalky soils. The 1996 vintage, combining exceptional ripeness with naturally elevated acidity, provided this wine with the foundations for its legendary longevity.

About this house

Founded in 1851 by the flamboyant Charles-Camille Heidsieck — nicknamed 'Champagne Charlie' following his triumphant tours of the United States — Charles Heidsieck stands among the most respected institutions in Reims. Its 8 kilometres of classified Gallo-Roman chalk cellars form a unique maturation haven, ensuring incomparable freshness and thermal stability for its wines.

Le Blanc des Millénaires is the creation of Daniel Thibault, the legendary cellar master who conceived this prestige cuvée as a statement of intent: to prove that Champenois Chardonnay, selected from the finest crus, can rival the world's greatest white wines in complexity and longevity. After 24 years on lees prior to disgorgement in 2021, this 1996 embodies the philosophy of absolute patience that defines the soul of the house.

Food pairing

The perfect pairing

Between the champagne and its dish

Aperitif

The chalky minerality and citrus vivacity of Blanc des Millénaires find their natural and sublime match in a freshly shucked oyster — iodine meeting iodine in perfect accord.

Starter

The pearlescent, briny flesh of spiny lobster tail responds with elegance to the creamy texture and aromatic complexity of this exceptional cuvée.

Main

The buttery delicacy of sole meunière prepared with champagne enters into perfect harmony with the refinement and persistence of Blanc des Millénaires.

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Verified reviews

Customer reviews of the “Blanc des millénaires 1996” cuvée by Charles Heidsieck

4.8/5 · 16 reviews

Roland M.

Verified customer review

A flawless performance

Tasted it last night. An elegant wine with lovely length. Responsive and professional customer service. I’d recommend it to all wine lovers.

April 12, 2026

Philipp L.

Verified customer review

The best

What a lovely discovery this champagne is. It’s full-bodied on the palate, with lovely structure. A lovely surprise – thank you.

March 01, 2026

Inès P.

Verified customer review

Very good

It arrived very quickly. Light, airy and incredibly addictive. Fast delivery and impeccable packaging. A real success.

January 25, 2026

Aline E.

Verified customer review

Impeccable

Perfect for a birthday. A creamy, effervescent drink – very pleasant. The service was top-notch. Well done.

January 23, 2026

Frédéric R.

Verified customer review

A success

Perfect for a wedding. A delightful, rich and refined wine. Delivered within the stated timeframe. Flawless – well done.

January 20, 2026

Sébastien F.

Verified customer review

A safe bet

My first order, and certainly not my last. A vintage full of vibrancy and character. Pure joy.

January 03, 2026

Aurélie S.

Verified customer review

Well done

Well done on this lovely bottle. Powerful yet delicate. Perfect as a gift or to treat yourself.

December 10, 2025

Gg G.

Verified customer review

Top-class

A successful attempt to make someone happy. Refined and full of charm. A crystal-clear ordering process. I’d recommend it without a second thought.

October 30, 2025

Pascal C.

Verified customer review

Pure pleasure

Recommended for the whole family. Just the right amount of dryness, never harsh. No complaints about the service. I’m definitely a loyal customer.

August 18, 2025

Sandra D.

Verified customer review

Won over

This 1996 Blanc des Millénaires is superb. Fresh and delicious, with a lovely balance. Unbeatable value for money.

July 21, 2025

Rose R.

Verified customer review

Exceptional

I discovered this through the website. A perfect balance between power and finesse. A real treat – well done once again.

July 11, 2025

Guillaume F.

Verified customer review

Pure joy

I’m honestly blown away by this vintage. Refined, precise and devilishly appealing. The email updates are a real bonus. I have absolutely no regrets about this purchase.

June 27, 2025

Maxime E.

Verified customer review

Top notch

Perfect for marking the occasion. The roundness and liveliness are beautifully balanced. Well received, in a lovely box. Hats off to the whole team.

June 06, 2025

Bastien N.

Verified customer review

Delighted with my purchase

I fell in love with it straight away. Aromas of brioche and ripe apple. Impeccable order fulfilment. I’m placing another order.

May 26, 2025

Lili S.

Verified customer review

Absolutely brilliant

Top quality, just as advertised. Lovely depth, worthy of the great wine houses. The order was fulfilled without the slightest hitch. The sort of bottle that everyone can agree on.

February 13, 2025

Christian W.

Verified customer review

Excellent

Open for our New Year’s Eve celebration. A sophisticated champagne, full of character. Exactly what I was looking for.

January 27, 2025

Charles Heidsieck

The expert verdict

The structure of this champagne

TASTING NOTES