Cuvée des Caudalies Millesime Grand Cru Extra Brut 2013

Wine Description for Cuvée des Caudalies Millesime Grand Cru Extra Brut 2013 by De Sousa

Colour & Appearance

Luminous pale golden yellow with fine, persistent perlage that bears witness to the extended ageing on lees of this vintage champagne.

Nose

Complex and multi-layered: Initially dominant citrus fruits and almonds, underpinned by a subtle note of fermented Boskop apple. With air contact, a more mature aromatics unfolds, revealing yellow stone fruits, chalky minerals and a hint of jasmine – typical of the chalk soils of the Côte des Blancs.

Palate

Present and forceful on the attack, yet possessed of striking clarity. The fruit palette is bright and precise: lemon meringue, sabayon, white peach, nectarine and apple meld with citrus nuances. The creamy texture contrasts elegantly with the vibrant acidity. The Extra Brut dosage (merely seven grams) is perfectly integrated and balances the wine through to the mineral-saline finish.

Finish

Long, taut and mineral with lingering chalk and citrus notes. The purity and precision remain intact to the very end – a champagne of remarkable directness.

Terroir & Origin

De Sousa manages Grand Cru vineyard sites in Avize and the surrounding chalk soils of the Côte des Blancs. The Cuvée des Caudalies comes from the finest parcels and represents the mineral elegance of this privileged provenance.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Chardonnay from the 2013 vintage, fermented and partly aged in small oak barrels. The extended ageing on lees of at least six years imparts the champagne with its creamy texture and complexity, whilst the minimal dosage preserves the purity of the terroir.

Food Pairing Recommendations

The mineral precision harmonises beautifully with langoustines with fennel, apple and elderflower, char with nori and quail eggs or golden beetroot with pear and goat’s cheese. Generally ideal with raw shellfish, pan-fried white fish and light vegetarian dishes with acidity accents.

Special Characteristics

A champagne for purists: the Extra Brut style and Grand Cru provenance make this vintage champagne an authentic terroir ambassador. De Sousa is among the biodynamic pioneers of Champagne.