Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut

Champagne, France

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 Extra Brut 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

Dry farming Harvest: Hand-harvested at full maturity

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

  • 20250908

    92

    points

    Wine Spectator, September 2025

    "There’s a broad-shouldered, structured feel, yet this refreshing Champagne is sleek and well-meshed overall, integrating a firm spin of citrusy acidity with flavors of black currant and cherry fruit, lemon curd and brioche. Lightly spiced and creamy through the lingering finish. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now through 2030."

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  • 20250805

    91

    points

    James Suckling, August 2025

    "Very toasty style with pastry, red fruit and gunpowder. Light-bodied with a tight palate and refreshing acidity. Drink now."

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  • 20250528

    90

    Points

    International Wine Challenge, May 2025

    "Classic with nice creamy mouthfeel, elegant Pinot character; bruised apples, red berries and toast on nose and palate."

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  • 20241215

    Gold

    Medal

    The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships, December 2024

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  • 20241204

    93

    points

    Wilfred Wong, December 2024

    "The Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Essentiel Brut is bright, alive, and zippy. It excels with aromas and flavors of earth, stone, and stone fruit. Enjoy it with a raw shellfish platter..."

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  • 20241201

    92

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, December 2024

    "Blending the three principal Champagne varieties, this Champagne has a fine touch of cashew-nut maturity. The aroma brings out that nuttiness, while to taste the wine has rounded the corner and revealed maturity. Drink now."

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  • 20240701

    92

    Points

    International Wine Challenge, July 2024

    "Crisp lemon, pear skin, tight buzzy energy, oyster shell salinity, fresh citrus, savoury and lively.Crisp lemon, pear skin, tight buzzy energy, oyster shell salinity, fresh citrus, savoury and lively."

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  • 20240701

    92

    points

    JamesSuckling.com, July 2024

    "Gunpowder and cotton candy over quince and lemon pulp. Quite frothy and brief bubbles at first, then light body with crisp acidity and a riper mirabelle finish. 44% pinot noir, 34% pinot meunier and 22% chardonnay. Drink now. "

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  • 20240619

    92

    points

    Decanter, June 2024

    "Aromatic red fruit on the nose, then to a palate of fresh red cherry, hints of apple, roasted pear and honey."

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

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 92 points, Wine Spectator 2025 – Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel – 92 points, Wine Spectator 2025 – Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck – Accolades Highlights Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – 91 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – 91 points, James Suckling – Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck – Accolades Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – 93 points, Wilfred Wong 2024 – Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – 93 points, Wilfred Wong 2024 – Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – Gold Medal, CSWWC 2024 – Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – Gold Medal, CSWWC 2024 – Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – 92 points, Wine Enthusiast – Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – 92 points, Wine Enthusiast – Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – 92 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – 92 points, James Suckling – Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – 92 points, Decanter – Sell Sheet

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – 92 points, Decanter – Shelftalker

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

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

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

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

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

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

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – 95 points, IWSC – Shelftalker

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

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

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

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – BCorp Shelftalker

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – Label

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – Technical Notes

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut – Bottle