2018 Delamotte Blanc de Blancs
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Tasting notes
Medium-bodied, the 2018 Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut is a more approachable vintage, very appealing and detailed, with more length, making it a refreshing and elegant wine. It has a refined sensibility, with notes of lemon-lime sherbet, fresh shortbread, and a hint of salty earth that comes through on the sides of the palate, as well as smoky, wet stones. True to the estate, it maintains all its classic freshness, finishing with notes of powdery chalk and fresh almond. It should have a wide window for peak enjoyment. Drink 2025-2045. The sister house to Salon, Delamotte owns 10 hectares of vineyards in Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Cramant, and Avize. They purchase grapes from 80 hectares, mostly Chardonnay from Oiry and Chouilly, as well as some Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims in Bouzy, Ambonnay, and Tours-sur-Marne. A small amount of Meunier is purchased from around Epernay. When Salon does not produce a vintage wine, those parcels are used in the production of Delamotte bottlings. Like Salon, the wines are fermented and matured entirely in stainless steel; however, malolactic fermentation is achieved on a case-by-case basis.
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Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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100% Chardonnay. One of Champagne’s more ancient houses, founded in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger back in 1721. A blend of six grands crus – Le Mesnil (20%), Avize (20%), Oger (20%), Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry. Dosage 5 g/l. Cool, crisp and unmistakably Chardonnay on both nose and palate. A touch of oak adds to the complexity on the palate. Savoury finish. Precise, lingering aftertaste, plenty of upside ageing potential. (AWH)
The 2018 Champagne Blanc De Blancs is more subtle initially, but it develops a more detailed and tailored feel as it starts to open. This is the first time Delamotte has produced both a vintage wine as well as a multi-vintage blend from the same vintage. This 2018 pours a bright pale yellow hue and is expected to age longer than the entry release. It has a similar floral profile but with more intensity on the nose, with aromas of quince, fresh blossoms, white grapefruit, and chalky earth. Medium-bodied, it opens to a fluffy mousse, with a fresh, floating feel on the palate. It’s clean and inviting, with a long finish that slowly tapers away. It’s a bit more shy than the NV at this stage, but it also has a more elegant feel and is going to benefit from time to flesh out over the coming years. It has a salty feel and more density, but it’s more savory and has a mouthwatering finish. Drink 2026-2039. 6 gram per liter dosage.
Subtle aromas of apple pie, lime, white flowers and reductive flint. Medium body, with some phenolics that frame the wine nicely. Flavors of bitter lemon, lemon and a hint of brioche. A little short now. Better in a year or two.