Champagne De Sousa - Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Caudalies
17,5/20
Bettane & Desseauve
15,5/20
RVF
94+/100
Robert Parker
93/100
James Suckling
“Grande Cuvée”
“The Cuvée des Caudalies Grand Cru Extra Brut, with its intense citrus color, is made from 100% Chardonnay from old vines in Avize. [...] The wine opens with an intense, concentrated bouquet, still showing yeast and toasted notes, with plenty of brioche and refined ‘reserve’ aromas. Pure and linear on the palate yet rich and intense, with a charming roundness (dosage of five grams per liter), this Cuvée des Caudalies is still incredibly young but well-structured and expressive, and the finish reveals remarkable saline purity, complexity, and mineral tension.” (Wine Advocate - Stephan Reinhardt)
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Eye
Light gold color with subtle, shimmering highlights
Nose
Delicate, with subtle hints of brioche and chalky notes
Palate
Complex and elegant. A harmonious structure with distinct woody notes and a salty finish.
Serve
At 10-12°C
Drink before
2027+
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy as an aperitif on caviar-topped toast, or with dishes such as shellfish in champagne jelly or a slice of turbot…
Bettane & Desseauve
Wine rated 17.5/20 (Top-rated wine)
Rated estate (2026 guide) 4*Stars (Producers of the very highest quality, the pride of French viticulture)
About the wine:
Straightforward, briny, and deep, with fine bubbles and a palate that is both creamy and taut, set against a backdrop of aromas blending brioche and fresh pineapple. Great purity!
About the estate:
Érick de Sousa is a highly talented winemaker who has been based at the family estate since 1986, where he cultivates ten hectares in the Côte des Blancs using biodynamic methods for over twenty years. Uncompromising and meticulous, he crafts a range of sparkling wines with pure and nuanced expressions, drawing on the terroirs of Avize, Cramant, Oger, and Le Mesnil—planted with Chardonnay—as well as some Pinot Noir in Aÿ and Ambonnay, and a touch of Meunier. The result is a very broad range of champagnes that differ in approach but share a family resemblance in their smooth texture and aromatic originality, enhanced by beautifully crafted aging in oak. From this perspective, the 3A cuvée seems to us representative of this irresistible allure, as does the remarkable Mycorhize cuvée, not to mention the Caudalie cuvée, which over the years has become inseparable from the house and its flagship. As for vintages, the 2008 holds its own, while the 2010 surprises with its fresh balance in a year known for its suppleness. While the noses may sometimes surprise, it is on the palate that one discovers the stylistic charm of this house with an established reputation.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Wine rated 94+/100 (Outstanding wine)
Estate rated "Recommended" (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About the wine:
The Cuvée des Caudalies Grand Cru Extra Brut, with its intense citrus hue, is made entirely from Chardonnay grapes grown on old vines in Avize. [...] The wine opens with an intense, concentrated bouquet, still showing yeast and toasted notes, with plenty of brioche and refined “reserve” aromas. Pure and linear on the palate yet rich and intense, with a charming roundness (dosage of five grams per liter), this Cuvée des Caudalies is still incredibly young but well-structured and expressive, and the finish reveals remarkable saline purity, complexity, and mineral tension.
About the estate:
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated 15.5/20 (Good wine)
Rated estate (2026 guide) 2*Stars (These exceptional estates, often boasting fabulous terroirs, are must-haves that, thanks to the consistency and excellence of their wines, deserve a place in the cellars of discerning wine lovers)
About the wine:
A perpetual reserve aged in barrels from vintages ranging from 2011 to 1995: this cuvée has a creamier texture but offers a delicate effervescence and a rich, wine-like character.
About the estate:
The estate, now led by the next generation, brilliantly carries on the work of the late Eric de Sousa. Charlotte handles the business side, Julie oversees the vineyards and the horses, and Valentin works in the cellar. The estate comprises 14 hectares of vineyards, primarily Chardonnays located in the Grand Cru Avize, as well as Pinot Noir from the Grand Crus Aÿ and Ambonnay. Certified organic in 2010 and biodynamic in 2013, the estate also benefits from older vines. Careful management of the aging process in oak highlights magnificent wines full of energy.
James Suckling
Wine rated (2019 guide) 93/100
About the wine:
Old Chardonnay vines from Avize, fermented in oak barrels and blended with a solera reserve wine. Very concentrated and subtle, it has a complex character with deep, rich notes of peach, lemon, and grapefruit. It finishes with a long, salty, mineral aftertaste. Very concentrated and distinctive. Enjoy now or lay it down.