Piper Heidsieck Essentiel Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Champagne

Herbert Muller - Proper grown-up champagne

8/10

Finally moving past prosecco and this was a great step up. You can really taste the difference — it's richer and more complex with actual interesting flavours rather than just being fizzy and sweet. The blanc de noirs style is new to me but I'm into it. Treat yourself.

Kai Oliveira - This one surprised me

9/10

I don't usually go for extra brut because I like a tiny bit of sweetness, but this completely won me over. There's so much going on flavour-wise that you don't miss the sugar at all. Really layered and the finish just keeps going. Piper Heidsieck have nailed it with this one.

Priscilla Nunes - Decent but I expected more

7/10

Saw this on a restaurant menu and fancied trying something new. It's nice enough — well made, good bubbles, pleasant aftertaste that hangs around. But at this price point I was hoping to be blown away and I wasn't quite. Maybe I need to try it again when I'm not comparing it to the Ruinart we had last month.

Wei Zhang - Great with food

8/10

Picked this up for a roast chicken dinner and it was a perfect match. It's got enough body and fruit to stand up to proper food, not just canapés. The extra brut style keeps it fresh and crisp. Will definitely be getting another bottle for Christmas.

Felix Moreau - Solid champagne, not cheap though

8/10

The wine shop guy recommended this when I said I wanted something a bit different from the usual Moët. It's got more weight and structure than most champagnes I've had, really fruity but dry at the same time. At £63 it's not an everyday thing but it's genuinely good.

Mei-Lin Wu - Birthday treat that delivered

9/10

Bought this for my wife's 40th and we were both really impressed. It's got this lovely depth to it, almost bready with dark fruit coming through — makes sense given it's all about the black grapes. Felt like a proper celebration bottle. Would absolutely buy again for a special occasion.

Sophie Brennan - Nice but maybe not £63 nice

7/10

Had this at a friend's dinner party and thought it was really pleasant — clean, balanced, interesting flavours. But when I looked up the price afterwards I was a bit surprised. You can get some cracking champagnes for less. It's good, just not sure it justifies the premium over something like a decent Lidl vintage.