De Sousa : Brut Rosé

Light, wild raspberry and strawberry aromas. A strong fruit presence on the palate, where strawberry and watermelon flavors rule the roost. Fleshy and flamboyant. Drink now.

(disgorged February 18, 2005) Dark pink, with a hint of onion skin; the color of a red wine from Arbois, even darker than some. Deep and smoky on the nose, with a spicy, vinous raspberry and cherry tone verging on Burgundian in character. Quite spicy, the cherry and wild berry flavors tinged by notes of clove, mace, cracked pepper and cayenne. A singular wine that would go perfectly with pungent cheeses or cured meats.

Predominantly a blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir from Ay. A subtly discreet nose anchored in chalky resonance, with precise red fruit—redcurrant and pomegranate—elegantly intertwining with rose blossoms. A crunchy raspberry palate, a beautiful suggestion brought by the red wine component; the saline energy is finely poised, and make no mistake, this is a rosé with character.

Full-bodied and powerful, this intense Champagne will make your mouth water at the table with langoustines.

De Sousa's NV Brut Rosé is an assemblage of 92% Chardonnay fermented in stainless steel and 8% Pinot Noir fermented in small barrels. The wine has a beautiful onion color and opens with a delicate and vinous bouquet. On the palate, this is a round, charming, pretty smooth and fruity rosé with remarkable finesse and balance. Very seductive, with very nice creaminess and lingering brioche and red fruit flavors in the clear and fresh finish. The wine I tasted in April 2018 was based on the 2014 vintage that was bottled in April 2015 and disgorged in June 2016 with a charming dosage of seven grams per liter.