Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel

Champagne

The Essentiel collection comprises champagnes whose complexity and profile meet the strict demands of fine cuisine and the most exacting of wine enthusiasts to extend the ageing period and use Extra-Brut dosage are the intended consequences. Essentiel is a multi-vintage cuvée featuring a blend of 3 varieties. Its magnificent structure, balance and freshness ensure that this Extra Brut represents the iconic style of the House.

Tasting Notes

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel boasts a precise, accomplished and balanced profile. The nose delivers initial notes of plum, brioche, grapefruit and stewed quince, developing towards aromas of acacia honey and grilled nuts.

"Essentiel reveals a complex, rich aromatic nose. Its precision and excellent balance make for perfect pairing with fine cuisine."
- Emilien Boutillat, Chief Winemaker

Perfect with appetizers and to accompany a meal A magnificent complement to fish and white meats

Canapés: Parmigiano Reggiano Shortbread Biscuits
Gourmet Recommendations: Farm poultry roasted on the bone, lime, juice and parmesan cheese
Additional Inspirations: Turbot with beurre blanc, Sea scallops with creamy parmesan risotto, Verrine of pink Champagne lentils − and shallot vinaigrette

Pressing: Slow and qualitative close to the vineyards, separation of juices
Settling: Static clarification of juices
Alcoholic fermentation: 100% thermo-regulated stainless steel vats, use of selected yeasts
Malolactic fermentation: Largely predominant, this is decided on a case by case basis by the Chief Winemaker
Reserve wines: Collection of more than 150 wines aged on fine lees, cru by cru
Sustainable oenology: Limited use of oenological treatments (including sulfites) Ageing on lees: Minimum of 36 months
Ageing after disgorgement: Minimum of 6 months

House Vineyards
Terroir: More than 50 crus
Certifications: Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne and High Environmental Value level 3
Soil maintenance: Mechanically weeded under rows with natural grass between vineyard rows Zero herbicide
Biodiversity: Hedges of native species, beehives close to the vineyards, flowered fallow fields

Partners Winegrowers
Long-standing partnerships with winegrowers throughout Champagne (more than 240 partners)

Grape Varieties: 44% Pinot Noir, 34% Meunier, 22% Chardonnay
Dosage: Extra-Brut (5g/L)
Alcohol content: 12% vol

  • 20240118

    90

    points

    New Wine Review, January 2024

    "Deep yellow in color, this smells of Wasa flatbreads, roasted apples, nougat, bone broth and warm crème fraiche. The body is rather full-ish—for Champagne—with a pleasantly dry crunch and raspy finish. Such a classic!"

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  • 2023-11-20

    92+

    points

    Jeb Dunnuck, November 2023

    "Based on the 2018 vintage and Emelien's first vintage as the chef de cave, the NV Champagne Essentiel Extra Brut is 44% Pinot Noir, 34% Meunier, and the rest Chardonnay, with 27% reserve wine. It’s aged for four years prior to release with 4 grams per liter dosage. A brilliant pale yellow hue, the NV Champagne Essentiel Extra Brut is fresh and inviting, with a rounded and floral profile, offering pure notes of orange blossoms, fresh brioche, and fresh peach, It reveals a pure, ripe character on the palate, with a rounded mouthfeel, a pillowy mousse, balanced notes of grapefruit citrus, and a touch of warmth from the vintage. A very attractive wine, it will certainly have the potential to age over the coming 10 years"

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  • 2023-11-20

    91

    points

    Wine Spectator, November 2023

    "A firm Champagne, with a fine, lively mousse, showing a waft of smoke that winds through flavors of toasted brioche, blackberry, grapefruit pith and almond skin. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Disgorged 2022. Drink now."

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  • 2023-07-03

    92

    points

    James Suckling, July 2023

    "This has aromas of apricots, white strawberries, peach pits, almonds and pastries. Creamy and balanced, medium-bodied, with silky bubbles and a nicely savory and dry finish. Based on 2018 vintage. 44% pinot noir, 34% meunier and 22% chardonnay. 4g/L dosage. Drink now."

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  • 2023-04-20

    90+

    points

    Wine Advocate, April 2023

    "The Piper-Heidsieck’s NV Extra-Brut Essentiel is a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 36% Pinot Meunier and 19% Chardonnay (including 23% of reserve wines) and was disgorged in 2022 with a dosage of six grams per liter. It reveals aromas of orchard fruit, pear, peach, lemon oil and warm biscuits. The palate is medium to full-bodied, tense and pure, with a delicate mousse and a fresh, harmonious texture with a clean and precise finish. It's a well-crafted and classic Champagne. Drinking window: 2023-2028"

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  • 2022-09-01

    95

    points

    IWSC | International Wine & Spirit Competition, September 2022

    "Elegantly composed, with concentrated, layered notes of red apple, raspberry, cherry, baked apples, and further complexity of mushroom, forest floor, toast and bready notes. The fine, creamy mousse is complemented by the fresh, citrus-driven acidity, and punctuated by a lingering finish. ""

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  • 2022-09-01

    Gold

    Medal

    IWSC | International Wine & Spirit Competition, September 2022

    "Elegantly composed, with concentrated, layered notes of red apple, raspberry, cherry, baked apples, and further complexity of mushroom, forest floor, toast and bready notes. The fine, creamy mousse is complemented by the fresh, citrus-driven acidity, and punctuated by a lingering finish. ""

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TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 91 points, Wine Spectator – Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 91 points, Wine Spectator – Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 92+ points, Jeb Dunnuck – Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 92+ points, Jeb Dunnuck – Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 90+ points, Wine Advocate – Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 90+ points, Wine Advocate – Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 95 points, IWSC – Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 95 points, IWSC – Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 92 points, James Suckling 2023 – Sell Sheet v1

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 92 points, James Suckling 2023 – Shelftalker v1

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – BCorp Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – Label

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – Technical Notes

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – Bottle