We just tasted the 2013 Caudalies, and it was outstanding—reminiscent of Salon. This Champagne has laser-beam focus, a lovely floral note of stone fruit blossoms, lemon chiffon, liquid minerals, a touch of grilled notes, salinity, fine bubbles, and tons of dry extract. A cerebral Champagne that will only improve with age, it blew us away at dinner this week. If you love great Champagne, De Sousa is a producer to try—it can compete with the likes of Salon, Krug, and Taittinger Comtes at a fraction of their prices, with super tiny production.
De Sousa is an excellent grower who flies under the radar. Founded in 1950 in Avize by Manuel De Sousa and now led by Erick De Sousa, the estate cultivates 11 hectares in the Côte des Blancs, primarily in Grand Cru vineyards like Avize, Cramant, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Specializing in biodynamic viticulture since 1999, De Sousa employs long lees aging, native yeast fermentations, and oak barrels for some cuvées to enhance complexity. The Blanc de Blancs Cuvée de Caudalies is a blend of old-vine Chardonnay from multiple Grand Cru villages (Cramant, Oger, Avize, Cuis), offering a fantastic expression of the Côte des Blancs.
2013 De Sousa et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée des Caudalies Millésimé
2013 De Sousa et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée des Caudalies Millésimé
We just tasted the 2013 Caudalies, and it was outstanding—reminiscent of Salon. This Champagne has laser-beam focus, a lovely floral note of stone fruit blossoms, lemon chiffon, liquid minerals, a touch of grilled notes, salinity, fine bubbles, and tons of dry extract. A cerebral Champagne that will only improve with age, it blew us away at dinner this week. If you love great Champagne, De Sousa is a producer to try—it can compete with the likes of Salon, Krug, and Taittinger Comtes at a fraction of their prices, with super tiny production.
De Sousa is an excellent grower who flies under the radar. Founded in 1950 in Avize by Manuel De Sousa and now led by Erick De Sousa, the estate cultivates 11 hectares in the Côte des Blancs, primarily in Grand Cru vineyards like Avize, Cramant, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Specializing in biodynamic viticulture since 1999, De Sousa employs long lees aging, native yeast fermentations, and oak barrels for some cuvées to enhance complexity. The Blanc de Blancs Cuvée de Caudalies is a blend of old-vine Chardonnay from multiple Grand Cru villages (Cramant, Oger, Avize, Cuis), offering a fantastic expression of the Côte des Blancs.
