Piper Heidsieck - Champagner Brut 2014

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A perfectly mature Champagne, this is just ready to drink. Fresh fruits contrast with the mature toastiness. The blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay gives texture plus minerality in harmony. Drink this fine wine now."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Showing nicely complex notes of figs, red apples, golden pears, walnuts and lemon conserve on toast, with a touch of beeswax. It’s medium-bodied, with bright acidity and a textured, phenolic palate. Tight bubbles. Dry feel. 55% pinot and 45% chardonnay. 7g/L dosage. Delicious now."

WINE SPECTATOR: "A seamless Champagne, finely textured and showing a creamy viscosity on the palate. This vibrant version winds a subtle, toasty thread of brioche and roasted almond through flavors of black currant, dried apricot and candied lemon peel. Mouthwatering and lightly chalky on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay."

DECANTER: "The 2014 vintage was affected by drosophila flies during the harvest, causing damage (sour rot) to the Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Nonetheless, it is a classic vintage, yet cool and wet. This does not seem to have affected Piper, which has produced a ‘very fresh, fruity, and delicious vintage Champagne’, according to Emilien Boutillat, Piper-Heidsieck’s chef de cave. The grapes come mainly from premiers crus villages and the final blend is 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay sourced from Verzy, Ambonnay, Tauxières, Montgueux, Avize and Barbonne. Malolactic fermentation was completed (Boutillat was not chef de cave at the time) and the dosage is 7g/L. Disgorgement took place in December 2020. The Piper-Heidsieck 2014 shows an enticing nose, oscillating between pear and peach aromas, that becomes more floral in character with airing, refreshed by minty notes. Spices and flinty notes appear with time in the glass, intertwined by pastry and elegant oxidative notes. The mouthfeel has a juicy yet tense structure, with fresh notes of mint and citrussy acidity that deliver freshness and lift on the flinty texture. The ideal partner for fruits de mer. Keep it in the cellar for two to three years."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2014 Brut Vintage, a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay with a dosage of seven grams per liter, has turned out nicely with aromas of pear, peach, almonds and smoky hints. Medium to full-bodied, supple and fruity with a delicate mousse, this is a structured, tension-filled but airborne Champagne with high acidity, the sign of a cool weather vintage. Although already thoroughly enjoyable, it should age well over the next five years."