Piper Heidsieck Essentiel Brut NV

95 POINTS

Tom Hewson - Decanter

Piper-Heidsieck's premium non-vintage cuvée receives a stunning boost in a longer-aged magnum release, making it a terrific value cuvée that can give a few prestige cuvées a run for their money. Based on the 2013 vintage, it's full of the year's bright intensity in charry roasted limes and grapefruit marmalade, generous with fragrant raspberry and toasted nuts and fleshed out beautifully by almost four years of ageing post-disgorgement. Smooth, long and polished, there's not a hair out of place here.

95 POINTS

2017 - Decanter World Wine Awards

A shimmering green-gold colour with refined toasty aromas. The palate resonates with fine yellow fruits and there's a pretty dance on the long finish. Lees age has woven a wonderfully creamy texture, immaculate line and abiding persistence. Exceptional. Award: Platinum - DWWA 2017

93 POINTS

James Suckling

Toast and spice elements here, underneath dried pineapple, guava and grilled hazelnuts. Rich and delicious, with soft bubbles and savory salted-lemon undertones. Dry and lengthy finish. 50% pinot noir, 30% pinot meunier and 20% chardonnay, with 20% reserve wines. 4.8g/L dosage. Bottled 2016 and disgorged May 2020.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

This has aromas of jasmine, lemons, oyster shells and savory rice crackers, with a touch of white chocolate. It’s medium-bodied, vibrant and balanced, with silky bubbles and a fresh and elegant finish. Dry. 100% chardonnay with 30% reserve wines. Bottled 2017 and disgorged April 2021. 6g/L dosage.

93 POINTS

Falstaff

Bright pale yellow-green with silver reflections and a fine, well persistent mousse. Fresh Golden Delicious apple, fine hint of bakery with some mango and papaya in the background alongside fine floral honey. Juicy, fresh stone fruit notes and a lively acid arc on the palate. There's a lemony touch and a mineral character. All in all, a persistent, dry style, and a very good food companion. Deg. 10.2017.

93 POINTS

2022 - Decanter World Wine Awards

Lovely green apple, white floral and melon aromas. Elegant and bright palate with potent flinty and saline lemony finish. Award: Silver - DWWA 2022

93 POINTS

2021 - Decanter World Wine Awards

Orchard fruit, macadamia, hazelnut and brioche nose. The palate shows cooked apples and has a gastronomic intensity. Fine bittersweet finish. Award: Silver - DWWA 2021

2015 - Decanter World Wine Awards

Toasty lime zest, dried pineapple nose, over a long palate brimming with juicy strawberries. It's the overall intensity of this digestible wine that really grabs attention, engineered by the way the flavours build across the palate and delicate toasty finish. Award: Silver - DWWA 2015