Refined and expressive, with a bright buoyancy to the rich flavors of creme de cassis, glazed tangerine, brioche and lemon-infused pastry cream. This is plush and refined on the palate, offering a lingering, smoke- and spice-tinged finish. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2029. 59,616 cases imported.

The NV Cuvée Brut is a bright, fresh effort from this estate. Offering up plenty of yeasty notes, stone fruits, a kiss of brioche and subtle minerality, it's clean and lively on the palate, with bright acidity, and a classic dry finish. If you're looking for a high-quality sparker that will deliver the goods over the coming 4-5 years, you can't go wrong here.

The latest release of Piper-Heidsieck's NV Cuvée Brut is showing well, offering up attractive aromas of fresh pears, green apple, dried flowers and subtle hints of wheat toast and fresh bread. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, generous but nicely focused, with an enveloping core of fruit, ripe but racy acids and a nicely balanced finish. This is a very solid non-vintage cuvée that should evolve gracefully for the coming decade.

Piper's nonvintage Champagne is balanced, fruity, fresh and elegant. It is both ripe and crisp with apple fruits, a mineral edge and final fruitiness. Drink now.

Ripe pears, crisp green apples and flowers emerge from Piper-Hiediesck's NV Brut Cuvée. This medium-bodied non-vintage Champagne offers excellent persistence and a long, clean finish. It is a very solid effort at this level. The Brut Cuvée is 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay. This is lot L070921 12253, disgorged December 2007.