Sunday, October 9th, 2022
Dear Artisans,

Two weeks ago a couple came in seeking my counsel for their perennial Champagne blind-tasting event.

The only rule was the bottle had to be under $75.

Thanks to my great service and Champagne obsession, I ended up getting invited to help facilitate and, of course, participate.

My suggestion won the tasting by a massive landslide:
De Sousa is another rare Grower Champagne house and Master Sommelier secret that comes from the same importer of Pierre Moncuit, the Le Mesnil Grower served by-the-glass at Three-Michelin-Star Le Bernardin.

The reason why the De Sousa "3A" Brut won by a landslide is that it's made of the same Grand Cru vineyard sources as two of the most legendary tete de cuvees, AND tastes just like them, too: Louis Roederer's Cristal and Taittinger's Comtes de Champagne...

...yet is hundreds of dollars less at $73.97 btl, and $69.97 btl (6+)

Don't take just my word for it:
Erick De Sousa farms only 9.2 hectares of old vine parcels in Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, Oger and Chouilly) Three quarters of the De Sousa vines are over 45 years of age. Some are 65 and 75 years old. When considering that many Champagne vineyards are uprooted and replanted at 25 years due to yield decline, this is truly amazing.

Given everything about this Champagne, it should have a $150+ price tag:

  • 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir, 100% Grand Cru.
  • Specifically three of the most elite Grand Cru towns that begin with “A” - Ambonnay, Ay, Avize
  • The reserve wines are aged 3 years on their lees and given a 3-gram dosage
  • Less than 100 cases imported

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.

This truly unique expression of Champagne, at a price that allows you to enjoy any day.

Also look down below at their supreme-value Grand Blanc de Blancs in 750mL and Magnums. I recently poured 10 magnums on-site at a corporate office and nearly caused a riot with delicious the wine was.

Enjoy your Sunday!

All my best,
—James Tran
De Sousa "3A" Brut Cuvee Grand Cru NV

93 Points - James Suckling:
"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 WA:
"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)
60 bottles left
Lowest price in the state

Our Sale:

$73.97 btl (1-5)
$69.97 btl (6+ )
De Sousa Reserve Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs NV

93 Points - James Suckling:
"Attractive lemons and yellow nectarines on the nose with expressive and complex style. The palate is so fleshy and attractive, delivering a big, flavorful peach and lemon impression with a hint of grapefruit, twisting the finish savory. Drink now." (9/2/19)

92+ Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"From Avize, Oger and Cramant, the NV Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Réserve displays a vital citrus color and offers a clear, fresh and intense Chardonnay and chalky bouquet that indicates concentration, depth and tension. Pure and linear on the well-structured and mineral palate, this is a straightforward yet very finessed and elegant Brut with a stimulating mineral finish that also reveals concentrated and juicy fruit flavors. The aftertaste is complex and expressive. This edition is based on the 2014 vintage, and it was bottled in July 2015 and disgorged in November 2017 with a dosage of seven grams per liter. Tasted in Reims in April 2018." - William Kelley (8/31/18)
38 bottles left
6 magnums left
Lowest price in the state

Our Sale:

$59-$54.97 btl (750 mL Btls)
$129.97 btl (1.5 L Magnums)
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