de Sousa Brut Champagne Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Réserve NV

92-95 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(100% chardonnay from Cramant, Avize, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Chouilly; average vine age 43 years; vinified in stainless steel tanks; 30% reserves; 7g/L dosage, and considering 5g/L for the next disgorgement). De Sousa’s mandate here is focused minerality and freshness. In concert with the heightened fruit presence of ripe chardonnay, this makes for an exciting blanc de blancs that captures the mood of the house and the grandeur of its terroirs. Beurre bosc pear and apple declare fruit ripeness, well harmonised with soft acidity and gentle salt mineral presence. Lees age contributes gingernut biscuit complexity, while dosage lends a honeyed note to the finish. The suggestion of the house to lower dosage to 5g/L makes good sense, particularly in the context of the rich 2015 season. It’s an elegant style for this ripe harvest, concluding long and enticing. (2020-2021)"

93 points James Suckling: "A bold and ripe champagne with a wide spectrum of citrus aromas, ranging from lemon zest to candied orange. Quite some textural complexity on the mouth-filling, creamy palate, then a ton of mineral freshness comes through at the imposing finish. A cuvée of chardonnays from Avize, Oger and Cramant that was disgorged on May 15th, 2021. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink now. (1/5/22)"

93 points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): "Sourced from grapes from Avize, Oger, Craman and Mesnil-sur-Oger (70% in 2008, Réserve 2007 and 2006), the NV Grand Cru Réserve Blanc de Blancs Brut was bottled in April 2014 and disgorged in March 2015. This Champagne offers a bright and intense lemon flavor with good salinity. This is a very complex and tension-filled Champagne, with lots of salinity, purity and minerality. The palate is very long and stimulating in its Sherry-like salinity. There is great grip and tension here, although it is still very young. Drink: 2016-2030. (Jun 2016)"

Richard Juhlin: "This company was established in 1986. Erick de Sousa owns nine and a half hectares at Avize, Cramant and Oger, where the average age of the vines is thirty-five years. Erick is very goal-orientated and has most certainly taken a peek at Selosse's success, imitating them in many ways in terms of work in the vineyard and the process of vinification itself. Since 1995, oak barrels from Chablis have been used for all wines from the fifty-year-old vines. 15 per cent of the barrels are new oak. The wines are never chaptalized and every plot is vinified separately. This company already has a very good reputation, despite having been on the Champagne scene for only a short time. [The Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Réserve has a] deep nose typical of this village, with elements of sun-melted butter, nuts and spices. Powerful flavour with good length. (Apr 2013)"