Tech Notes
Wine Details
Decanter
Wine Review Online
Wine Spectator
Wine Enthusiast
Jeb Dunnuck
James Suckling
Vinous
By Champagne Piper-Heidsieck
Essentiel Extra Brut
The House
Since its founding in 1785, the House of Piper-Heidsieck has proven its innovative prowess in selecting and blending wines of exception. A quest for excellence and open-mindedness is reflected in the entire range of Champagnes created by Chief Winemaker Emilien Boutillat, who serves as guarantor of the Piper-Heidsieck style. B Corp-certified since 2022, the House is committed to a fair and sustainable future. Essentiel is a multi-vintage cuvee featuring a blend of 3 varieties. Its magnificent structure, balance, and freshness ensure that this extra brut represents the iconic style of the House.
Wine Description
The Essentiel collection comprises Champagnes whose complexity and profile meet the strict demands of fine cuisine and the most exacting of wine enthusiasts. The deliberate decision to extend the aging period, use extra brut dosage, and provide transparent information are the intended consequences of this philosophy.
Source
House vineyards and more than 240 long-standing partnerships with winegrowers throughout Champagne from more than 50 crus.
Viticulture
Sustainable viticulture. Mechanically weeded under rows with natural grass between vineyard rows. Zero herbicides. Hedges of native species, beehives close to the vineyards, and flowering fallow fields. Hand-harvested at full maturity.
Production
Chief Winemaker: Emilien Boutillat
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
Reserve Wines: Collection of more than 150 wines aged on fine lees, cru by cru
Sustainable Oenology: Limited use of oenological treatments, including sulfites
Aging on Lees: Minimum of 36 months
Wine Details
Blend: 36% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier, 29% Chardonnay
Reserve Wines: 29%
Dosage: Extra Brut (5 g/L)
Alcohol: 12.00%
Tasting Notes
Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel boasts a precise, accomplished, and balanced profile. The nose delivers initial notes of plum, brioche, grapefruit, and candied quince, developing towards aromas of acacia honey and toasted nuts. Essentiel reveals a complex, rich aromatic nose. Its precision and excellent balance make for a perfect pairing with fine cuisine.
Service
Pairings: Perfect with appetizers and to accompany a meal; a magnificent complement to fish and white meats, including poultry, turbot, and scallops
Cellaring Potential: 10 years or more
Serving Temperature: 10-12 degrees C
[Information provided by DHI Selections]
Region:
Champagne
Vintage:
N/V
Grape:
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Country:
France
Unit Size:
750.00 ML
Alcohol Percentage:
12.00
Appellation:
Champagne
Wine: Piper-Heidsieck, Essentiel Extra Brut, Champagne, France NV
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2030
Review Date: 10/10/2024
Reviewed By: Tom Hewson
Tasting Notes: Piper-Heidsieck's premium non-vintage cuvee receives a stunning boost in a longer-aged [...] release, making it a terrific value cuvee that can give a few prestige cuvees a run for their money. [...] 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 [...]. Smooth, long and polished, there's not a hair out of place here.
Wine: Piper Heidsieck, Champagne (France) “Essentiel” NV
Score/Rating: 94
Review Date: 10/01/2025
Reviewed By: Roger Morris
Tasting Notes: I can’t remember if I have ever used the words “Piper” and “under-valued” in the same sentence, but it firmly applies here. To begin, it is rich yet crisp, with metallic minerality but also charming toastiness, has intense bubbles, is long on the palate and has a charming aftertaste. Moreover, the wine seems to pleasantly gain richness after being exposed to oxygen. I could go on about its in-the-cave CV [...] but why bother when it wears not only its heart but total anatomy on its sleeve (label) with tons of information?
Wine: Piper-Heidsieck Extra Brut Champagne Essentiel NV (2025)
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink now through 2030.
Review Date: 12/15/2025
Reviewed By: Alison Napjus
Tasting Notes: 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. [...]. Drink now through 2030.
Wine: Piper-Heidsieck NV Essentiel Extra Brut (Champagne)
Score/Rating: 92
Review Date: 12/01/2024
Reviewed By: Roger Voss
Tasting Notes: 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.
Wine: NV Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Essentiel Extra Brut
Score/Rating: 91
Review Date: 12/15/2025
Reviewed By: Audrey Frick
Tasting Notes: A bright medium yellow hue, the NV Champagne Essentiel Extra Brut is the base 2019 and consists of 36% Pinot Noir, [...] Meunier, and the rest Chardonnay, with 29% reserve wine. This should be the most accessible of these Champagnes, because it’s not overly cerebral and has a more oyster shell minerality, with notes of white peach and delicate, pretty red fruit. Medium-bodied, it has structure and will drink well over the next several years. It’s a food-friendly wine.
Wine: Piper Heidsieck Champagne Essentiel Extra Brut
Score/Rating: 91
Review Date: 07/13/2025
Reviewed By: Aldo Fiordelli
Tasting Notes: Very toasty style with pastry, red fruit and gunpowder. Light-bodied with a tight palate and refreshing acidity. Drink now.
Wine: Piper-Heidsieck Extra Brut Essentiel
Score/Rating: 91
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2028
Review Date: 12/2024
Reviewed By: Anne Krebiehl MW
Tasting Notes: The NV Extra Brut Essentiel [...] opens with smoky melted butter. This reductive smokiness continues on the palate, where licorice overtones add aromatic highlights. The fine smooth mousse is exemplary, providing a smooth texture to this balanced wine, which is quite a step up from the Cuvee. [...].
