Piper-HeidsieckHors-SerieCoteauxChampenoisBlancdeNoirsAy2022

Piper-Heidsieck’s roots trace back to Florens-Louis Heidsieck, who created the original company of Heidsieck & Co. Christian Heidsieck joined the venture alongside Guillaume Piper and once Florens-Louis died in 1828, the duo decided to continue the adventure side by side, founding Champagne Piper-Heidsieck.rrIn 2011 both Charles Heidsieck and Piper-Heidsieck were bought by EPI Group headed by Christopher Descours, he has pumped significant finance into the companies allowing them to grow their vineyard holdings, grape purchasing and production. The brands are now growing their sales fast after many decades of decline. Today, production occurs alongside sister company Charles Heidsieck in an ultra-modern functional wine-making facility on the southern outskirts of Reims. Their characteristics differ quite considerably, with Piper opting for a fruitier and lighter style of base wines.rrFor Hors-Série Coteaux Champenois 2022, Émilien Boutillat, Piper-Heidsieck Chief Winemaker, has crafted a white wine from two Pinot Noir Grand Cru plots, one in Aÿ and another in Ambonnay. Challenging the traditional Coteaux Champenois vinifications, these two Blanc de Noirs de Champagne still wines have a dazzling and distinctive personality.rrWeather in 2022: After an autumn and winter punctuated by frosts, a rain-free spring dried out the vines from March. Thankfully, in June, light showers and storms revived the vineyards despite an unusual amount of sunshine. Then, heat records were smashed in summer. Thanks to good soil moisture, the harvest produced superb grapes with perfect ripeness and balance.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: ChauffourrGrape Varieties: 100% Pinot NoirrPlanting Date: 2004rBottling Date: 28 September 2023rLees Ageing: 1 year in stainless steel vatsrDrink: Now to 2030+rrTasting Note: Its fine, mineral elegance is boosted by aromas of pear, honeysuckle, fresh almond, mandarin and acacia honey. When aerated, minerality is expressed with notes of chalk and flint, preceding a touch of Mirabelle plum. In a full-bodied, silky attack, the palate becomes airy, mineral and light, just like lace. The salty, iodised finish combines verticality and tautness thanks to citrus fruit, ginger and pomelo zest.