![De Sousa "3A" Brut Cuvee Grand Cru NV (Champagne, France) - [WE 93] [JS 93] [WA 92+] [VM 92] [DM 91]](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/products/cuvee-3a-1_{width}x.png?v=1665365597)
De Sousa "3A" Brut Cuvee Grand Cru NV
(Champagne, France) - [WE 93] [JS 93] [WA 92+] [VM 92] [DM 91]
Regular price $80.00 Sale price $73.97 Save $6.03
6-PACK PRICE = $69.97 per item (add 6+ quantity to your basket)
Three quarters of the De Sousa vines are over 45 years of age. Some are 65 and 75 years old.
Conversion to organic methods began in 1989, just three years after Erick took over from his father. Yields from these old vineyards are incredibly low. In 1999, de Sousa began farming his land biodynamically, lowering yields even further. The vineyards are plowed with a horse to help prevent the soils from becoming compact and to promote healthy insect life underground. Because of this labor-intensive work with the soils, the vines often descend up to 10 or 12 meters. These deep roots extract salts and trace minerals like potassium and magnesium from the chalk. This gives additional minerality to the champagnes. The grapes are harvested by hand. Erick also likes to harvest as late as possible because he feels the extra maturity makes his Champagnes richer, purer and longer.
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir from the 3 grand cru towns that begin with “A” (Ambonnay, Ay, Avize), with 3 reserve wines that are aged 3 years on their lees and given a 3-gram dosage. Flattering nose with notes of lemon, pineapple and mango, with just a touch of butter. Accompanying flavors include blackcurrant, raspberry and a touch of licorice. The palate-feel is rich and unctuous, yet also fresh and mineraled.
"De Sousa's champagnes are bold, assertive and rich, while also demonstrating a marked complexity and finesse. It's no accident that De Sousa is found in many of France's best restaurants, as the refined demeanor of the wines seems to naturally complement the sophistication of haute cuisine."—Peter Liem, champagneguide.net
"Erick De Sousa is one of the most brilliant viticulturists in the Côte des Blancs today and furthermore, one of the most proactive.”—Bettane et Dessauve, Le Grand Guide des Vins de France 2008
"The excellence of a terroir, the devotion of one family and an unprecedented leap in quality makes these champagnes shine. A rigorous approach where every detail is cared for gives that extra dimension of purity and finesse. I am very impressed by how the family De Sousa manages to keep to their ideas and let this single minded strive for quality come through very clearly in all of their range."—Andreas Larsson, Meilleur Sommelier du Monde 2007
"Erick De Sousa is one of the most entrepreneurial winegrowers of his generation."--La Revue du Vin de France
"Erick de Sousa is one of the most iconic winemakers from Champagne."--Le Figaro
Ratings & Reviews
"Avize chardonnay (50%) meets pinot noir from Aÿ and Ambonnay in equal parts and delivers very attractively fresh, citrus-focused aromas of lemon and chalk with a palate that twists to blood oranges and pink grapefruit, as well as strawberries. Super fleshy. From organically grown grapes. Drink now." (9/2/19)
93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
" Based on grand cru fruit from Aÿ, Avize and Ambonnay (3 As), this wine is a structured blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It feels complete, densely textured, full of ripe apples and peaches, with a dryness that is balanced by the ripeness of the biodynamic fruit. Drink the bottling now." -Roger Voss (12/31/19)
92+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Based on the 2015 vintage and disgorged in April 2019, the NV Extra-Brut 3A Aÿ Avize Ambonnay is very pretty, offering up aromas of citrus oil, fresh bread, crisp stone fruit and beeswax. Full-bodied, broad shouldered and incisive, it's concentrated and vinous, with a racy spine of acidity and a pretty pinpoint mousse. This vibrant Champagne is one of the more tightly wound cuvées in the range, and it will show even better after a few more years on cork." - William Kelley (9/23/21)
"Light, bright yellow-gold. Potent orchard fruit, red berry and jasmine scents show very good clarity and pick up a smoky nuance with air. Chewy and tightly focused on the palate, offering ripe pear and blood orange flavors and a jolt of chalky minerality. Rich yet lively and precise, finishing with strong thrust and suave, lingering florality." - Josh Raynolds (Jan 2015)
