De Sousa & Fils, Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut, Reserve Grand Cru, Champagne, France, NV

Overview of the Wine
Today, finally, we could not be more pleased to announce the addition of De Sousa to our lineup. In fact, De Sousa made the final decision very easy for us when he put together 3 special bottlings. These limited 50-75 case bottlings are exactly what we were looking for. Erick knew it and sealed the deal by making available to us a tiny quantity of his luxury "Cuvée des Caudalies." One taste of that awesome wine was totally compelling. The fact that we get tiny bits of these custom De Sousa bottlings makes the whole deal even sweeter. We have always lusted after an Avize. We are famously served on the Côte de Blancs by Alain Robert and Michel Turgy in Mesnil and by Lancelot-Royer in Cramant. An Avize domaine rounds out the holy trinity perfectly. Anyone would be especially pleased if they consulted old reference books on Champagne wherein the now famous Côte de Blancs was called the "Côte d’Avize," at least until the middle of the 18th century. All of its vineyards are "Grand Cru" and rated at 100%. Though very similar to its neighbors on either side, Avize Chardonnay always seems to be more powerful and penetrating than Cramant or Mesnil versions. His wines are unfiltered and completely natural.

Biodynamic.

Grape / Blend
100% Chardonnay

Origin
Champagne, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
100% Grand Cru Chardonnay. A blend of 2 or 3 different years and with at least 30% reserve wine aged in barrel. From grapes grown only in Grand Cru vineyards of the Côte des Blancs. The chalky soil accentuates this champagne's minerality, lending it finesse, elegance and vivacity. Its intense nose is evocative of dried pineapple, fresh roasted coffee, eucalyptus and lemony notes, as well as a very expressive floral character. The palate is very round with honeyed accents. The finish is long and delightfully refreshing.

96 Points - Ian Blackburn
Lean, clean, saline, dialed in tight, focused, chalky notes, green apply, richer texture (quality mark), very nice - 100% biodynamically grown Chardonnay but they forgot to put Extra Brut on the label, so I questioned the wine as it is noticeably dense and rich. .. Demeter certification - obviously very busy in the vineyard :) because this wine is gorgeous!!!  14+24+24+34 = 96 Points 

93 Points - James Suckling
Fresh sourdough, lemon, white peach and salted butter on the nose, followed by a creamy, very fresh and salty palate. Fine, creamy bubbles. Dry and saline finish. 100% chardonnay from Cramant, Avize, Oger and Mesnil-sur-Oger. Based on 2019, with 20% reserve wine. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 
Disgorged in April 2019 and based on the 2016 vintage, De Sousa's NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Réserve is performing well, offering up aromas of crisp yellow orchard fruit, citrus oil, freshly baked bread, dried white flowers and yeast extract. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with racy acids, fine depth at the core and a pretty pinpoint mousse, it has turned out very well.

 Product size: 750ml