De Sousa Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Reserve

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.

Quite neutral on the nose. Very tart. Smoothly textured with mealy and saline complexity. Very savoury. A touch too low in dosage for me, leaving an austere finish.

A blend of Avize, Oger and Cramant, this has a fine layer of sweet spices and almost smoky, lightly grilled nuts that are threaded through chalky lemon and white peach fruits; really pristine. The palate's superfine with ample bright ripe lemon and peach fruit flavors. Very even, smooth and dry. Drink now.