Cuvée des Caudalies "Le Mesnil" Grand Cru Extra Brut 2012
The De Sousa Cuvée des Caudalies "Le Mesnil" Grand Cru Extra Brut 2012 impressively showcases the crystalline finesse and profound minerality of the finest chalk terroirs in the Côte des Blancs.
Bottler: Champagne De Sousa & Fils, 12 place Léon Bourgeois, 51190 Avize / France
In the glass
Colour
Radiant, intense straw yellow with fine, persistent strands of bubbles.
Nose
Nuanced interplay of ripe citrus fruit, toasted almonds, subtle roasted notes, and a cool chalky spice.
Palate
Highly elegant and focused on the palate, characterised by a silky oak texture, punchy freshness, and chalky minerality.
Character
An aristocratic Champagne with impressive depth, enormous length, and serene complexity.
Pairing
Excellent with pan-seared scallops, Oysters Royale, or refined dishes featuring turbot and lobster.
Notes
Pure Chardonnay from the legendary Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, slowly aged in deep chalk cellars and matured in oak casks.
Tasting note
Character
A profound, intellectual sparkling wine that expresses the pure magic of a mature Chardonnay vintage. This Extra Brut reveals itself as crystalline, spicy, and with remarkable aristocratic length. The oak from the barrels does not manifest in loud aromas, but instead gifts the wine a fine texture and tremendous stylistic depth. Ageing in the house’s chalk-carved cellars at a constant cool temperature lends it a silky-smooth mousseux and a delicately structured, mineral interplay of finesse.
Terroir & Origin
The grapes for this Grand Cru hail from the legendary single vineyard site Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. The chalk soils there deeply shape the wine. De Sousa cultivates the vineyards with a Demeter-certified biodynamic conviction. To protect the soil, avoid compaction, and encourage root growth deep into the chalk, the winemaking family surrounding Charlotte, Valentin, and Julie De Sousa relies on working with horses. The vines, averaging over 45 years in age, fully and convincingly draw out the potential of this world-famous terroir.
Grape Variety & Vinification
The traditional house of De Sousa crafts this noble cuvée from 100% Chardonnay. Erick De Sousa was amongst the pioneers in Avize to age the base wine in oak barrels to condense its structure and mouthfeel. Vinified as an Extra Brut with a minimal dosage, the profile remains uncompromisingly dry, focused, and precise. The 2012 vintage mirrors the artisanal excellence of a masterful transformation from grape to wine.
Food Pairings
This vinous Grand Cru Champagne is an outstanding solo performer, but pairs just as flawlessly with sophisticated gastronomy. It combines magnificently with oysters, scallops, refined turbot with Champagne foam, or delicate dishes featuring veal sweetbreads.
EN 
DE 
FR 
IT 
