Delamotte Blanc De Blancs

Tatler Champagne Guide 2024-2025

Grape Makeup:

100% Chardonnay

Sweetness Level:

Brut

Ageing on Lees:

36 months

Price:

$$

Cellar:

Five to ten years

Category:

Celebration

What

The sister house of its Le Mesnil neighbour Salon, which it pre-dates by about 150 years, being founded in 1760, owned since 1989 by Laurent-Perrier group and gradually developing its own identity as a recherché source of exquisite Chardonnay-driven champagnes.

Where

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs; mostly Chardonnay vineyards in Le Mesnil. Grapes for the BdB also come from Oger, Avize, Chouilly, Oiry and Cramant.

Why

The vintage Blanc de Blancs at Delamotte is only declared in years when they believe the Chardonnay has ageing potential. 2018 was a large crop year with unusually high alcohol and softer acidity, thanks to aridity that outpaced even the storied drought of 2003. Astonishingly, it is still the picture of delicacy and freshness that is the Delamotte way, not betraying the warmth in anything other than a light butteriness on the finish.

What Else

The signature NV Blanc de Blancs is an archetype of the genre, a perfect narrow lens with an aromatic profile made up entirely of grace notes.

Tasting Notes

The nose here is pristine, bright and citrussy, with lime and lemon sherbet and hints of delicate white acacia florals, shortbread and sour cream. It stays taut, delicate and pure on the entry with a lactic, saline and pure citrus lift, wrapped in butter pastry, almost austere except for powdery florals that gradually come through. The shape is a lens because of the tightness at either end, but it gains so little breadth through the middle that it is almost a spike. There is a pleasing light butteriness to finish.

Try It With

Delicate white fish

When To Drink

Apéritif

Perfect For

An elegant pool party

TL/DR

Pristine, saline, bright and citrussy

Supplier

Altaya