Delamotte Blanc de Blancs NV (75cl)

Delamotte Blanc de Blancs NV (75cl)

Tasting Notes:
Delamotte Blanc de Blancs NV is considered the quintessence of Delamotte's distinctive house style. Full-flavoured yet tantalisingly light, this is a precisely-structured Champagne with a delicate, filigree texture. It is made from Chardonnay grapes sourced from 100% grand cru vineyards in the villages of Le Mesnil, Avize and Oger. The wine spends at least 4 to 5 years on its lees, an extended ageing period allowing the Chardonnay to develop full expression. It is worth noting that in vintages where Salon is not made, its grapes are diverted to Delamotte.
 
Winemaking:
Champagne Delamotte is located in the exalted village of Le-Mesnil-sur-Oger, one of only seventeen Champagne villages to enjoy 100% Grand Cru status, and one of only 6 such villages in the Côte des Blancs region of Champagne. Chardonnay is the only grape variety grown in Le Mesnil, whose grapes are considered by many to be the highest in quality of the entire Côte des Blancs. This is partly due to soil composition in the vineyards, comprising layered sediment and chalk, fundamental to Delamotte's mineral style, finesse and delicacy.
 
Champagne Delamotte's style philosophy is based on the small-scale. Quality is achieved by working with small growers and specific vineyards with their own unique terroirs, bringing complexity and character to Delamotte's champagnes. Growers are long-term partners who understand Delamotte's quality and style. Fruit is always of the highest quality. Delamotte's approach requires that vineyard work be carried out by hand. All grapes are picked and then sorted by hand by Delamotte's experienced staff. A combination of traditional and modern vinification techniques are employed to maximise quality, including the use of gentle Willmes presses. Extended ageing is crucial to the quality and style of Delamotte's Chardonnay-based champagnes.
 
Background Information:
Champagne Delamotte is not only one of the oldest champagne houses, but also, arguably, one of the most refined in style and pedigree.
 
Established in 1760 in the prestigious village of Le Mesnil, Champagne Delamotte is Chardonnay's most dedicated advocate. Indeed, most of Delamotte's vineyards are planted with Chardonnay, all of which enjoy the exalted grand cru status common to the very best Champagnes.
 
Alongside the elegant Delamotte Brut NV (a blend with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier but Chardonnay-dominant nonetheless) and delicate, strawberry-scented rosé, the Blanc de Blancs cuvées (non-vintage and vintage) are the stars of the show, both tantalisingly rich yet delicate. This is hardly surprising, considering Delamotte's status as sister house of the legendary Salon Champagne, perhaps the world's finest and rarest Blanc de Blancs Champagne, produced only in exceptional vintages
 
Champagne Delamotte's range of Champagnes aims to showcase the unique terroir of Grand Cru-rated village Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Sister-house of the highly-prized Champagne Salon, Delamotte shares Salon's pursuit of sophistication and elegance, as well as its focus on the Chardonnay grape. The unremitting quality of Delamotte's champagnes is due in part to its small-scale approach, limiting quantity to just 50,000 cases per year.