"Did not enjoy this Champagne at all. I may have been unfortunate with a duff bottle, it not show well at all. I referred to the Wine Society graphic where it appeared to be full and biscuity, sorry but no where near in this instance!?! Disappointing, especially for a house that does have a considerable reputation. "

"On the strength of the lovely singe bottle from a Christmas fizz case I grabbed 6 when next on offer. 1st one was taken on holiday... ...and disappointed. A bit harsh and unappetising. I may return when we do the next :)"

"Only the one bottle of this included in a Winesoc Christmas fizz selection. It's now July, must try harder :) Glad I saved it, perfect for the hot summer we're enjoying in the UK. Few olives and (oddly) a popadum are the accompaniments. A dense pale yellow (if that makes sense). Interesting that another reviewer has used Pol Roger as an NV benchmark as that is my fave too. Drier, not as rich and in your face but is revealing depth as the glass goes down and as it warms? I'll still have Pol as my goto good stuff but I am going to have to buy this again. I wonder if the one very poor review was in some way a bad bottle, mine was about as far from pouring away as it gets!"

I would recommend this wine

"Its pricey but a step up in quality. Pol Roger is usually my favourite but this has real class and tastes much older than many other brands. I would certainly recommend trying a bottle."

"Fabulous wine that was one of my wines from the recent WSET Diploma Sparkling Wine unit. I promised myself a bottle if I passed and thoroughly enjoyed the celebration! Thoroughly recommended as one of the great NV wines and worth every penny. Here is the full tasting note I wrote: The wine is clear and medium lemon in colour with bubbles. The nose is clean with medium (+) intensity aromas of citrus (lemon, lemon curd), green fruit (baked apple), autolysis (biscuit, dough), tertiary (nuts, smoke, toast). The wine is fully developed. The palate is of dry with high acidity, medium alcohol (12%), medium (+) body, pronounced intensity flavours of lemon, baked apple, biscuit, nuts, smoke. The mousse is creamy. The finish is long. The wine is outstanding quality. The wine has great concentration of flavours and complexity from primary, secondary and tertiary clusters. The acid balances the fruit and the finish is very long and persistent. The wine should be drunk now (next 2-3 years) and is not suitable for further ageing. It has already been aged 8 years on its lees and is released ready to drink and fully developed."

"True vintage flavours in an NV. Champagne Charlie's blending of older wines into their NV gives the wonderful toasty, yeasty, nutty flavours you might normally only find in a long cellared vintage."

"This is second only to Krug Grand Cuvée in the NV stakes and the best value for money Champagne available. Wonderfully rich, biscuity, sophisticated and mature. Effortless. Deserves a lot more attention than it receives. I can't recommend this enough."

"A very poor wine. The only wine I have purchased that I was unable to drink with my friends. Poured down the drain. Not a patch on Pol roger. Suggest you remove from list at once. Dreadful"

Times of Tunbridge Wells 18th Jun 2020

"Who doesn’t beam when they hear that champagne cork pop? This opulent, full-bodied and masterful bottle from a small, iconic champagne house is the perfect pick-me-up — and a very special drink to toast our dads. Charles Heidsieck age their NV champers for at least five years before disgorging (far longer than the legal requirement of 15 months) and use 40% of old reserve wines, thereby bestowing an ample core of buttered water biscuit, bread dough, nuts and acacia; all qualitative clues to a full-flavoured and attractively textured palate. Marvellous. - James Viner"

The Sunday Times 7th Jun 2020

"From the house founded in Reims in the mid-19th century by “Champagne Charlie” Charles Camille Heidsieck, this is one of the best non-vintage bubblies on the market. Complex and sophisticated, with sumptuous notes of biscuit, brioche and ground almonds. A treat for the senses. - Will Lyons"

Calibre Magazine 18th Dec 2019

"Charles Heidsieck relentlessly win medals and trophies for its wines – it may not have the marketing clout of some of the most famous marques, but it punches well above its weight on quality. For this, its standard champagne, around half of the blend consists of reserve wines, the oldest of which date back to 1990. And you can see that in the wine itself. It is honeyed, rich and powerful, with biscuit and brioche notes combined with lemon curd. For the money, this is hard to beat and will satisfy and impress all your guests. - Matt Pym"

The Field 15th Nov 2019

"Sometimes, however, only first-rate champagne will do, and none is more first-rate than that from old Champagne Charlie himself, the Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV. Made with a higher number of reserve wines than is usual in Champagne and aged far longer, it's a fabulous fizz, full of toast, brioche, honey and white stone fruit. - Jonathan Ray"

Decanter 2nd Nov 2019

"Neatly constructed and eloquent, with a nose of plum and yellow fruit, coupled with hints of spring flowers. - Panel tasting"

The Sunday Times 5th May 2019

"I had forgotten how good this Brut Réserve is until a Parisian sommelier jogged my memory. Intense notes of brioche and roasted almonds, with a delicate texture and lasting flavour. - Will Lyons"

Manchester Evening News 21st Dec 2018

"The best non-vintage Champagne is Charles Heidsieck but it comes at a price, namely about £40-£45 a bottle. The Wine Society’s six for the price of five is therefore a great option. - Andy Cronshaw"

independent.co.uk 29th Nov 2018

"Picking up a non-vintage master award at the Drinks Business Champagne Masters 2018, this copper coloured fizz is richly aromatic. Expect plenty of toasted brioche flavours, alongside ripe red fruit, a creamy nuttiness as well as crisp acidity. It really does have it all. Complex, with a long lasting finish, we like this with smoked salmon and charcuterie. - Stacey Smith"

The Mail on Sunday 31st Dec 2017

"My pick of the Champagne producers for a treat on New Year’s Eve is Charles Heidsieck. The straight non-vintage is a bullseye. - Olly Smith"

Financial Times 20th Dec 2017

"This is a house with extraordinary cellars and stocks of ancient wines. Under new ownership, it is in full revival mode. - Jancis Robinson"

ft.com 12th Sep 2017

"With an unusually high level of reserve wines in its blend and a minimum ageing of six years before release, this has wonderful depth of flavour with toast, brioche, caramel, white stone fruit and honey. - Jonathan Ray"

Manchester Evening News 17th Dec 2016

"This famous estate has been consistently making fabulous Champagne for many years in the chalk cellars that run underneath the city of Reims. Even the NV has complex biscuit notes on the nose and a palate of rich elegance and harmony. - Andy Cronshaw"

The Mail on Sunday 4th Dec 2016

"Extra ageing gives a perfect balance of richness to refreshment. - Olly Smith"

Decanter 4th Jul 2016

" Gold, Decanter World Wine Awards: An energetic nose of smoky lime zest, peach, butterscotch and toast. The palate is round and elegant with a creamy texture, delicate lime and strawberry fruit, lively acidity and spicy biscotti notes. A finish of fuity finesse and elegant minerality. "

The Scotsman 11th Jun 2016

"It has a rich biscuity aroma and honeyed palate from the high percentage of mature reserve wines. - Rose Murray Brown"

The Oldie 26th May 2016

" Superb. - Bill Knott  "

Champagne&Sparkling Wine World Championships 2014 1st Sep 2014

"Gold medal: Heavenly toast! Very deep golden colour with a full, rich, evolved, super-toasty nose, with notes of dried fruits, pencil-shavings, yeast extract, coffee and a flick of vanilla. The palate is equally full-bodied and complex, in a smooth, intense and very long, blockbuster style, without being heavy. Gorgeous! - Tom Stevenson"

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