Delamotte Champagne Blanc de Blancs

Le Mesnil-sur- Oger, Oger and Avize; 7g/L dosage; 10% reserves; aged 4 years on lees; cork; 280,000 bottles Delamotte Blanc de Blancs is stunning in the great base vintages, but unfortunately it isn't possible to ascertain this pre-purchase, as there's some detective work required in removing the foil, decoding the disgorgement date from the cork and working backwards. Delamotte has captured the flattering and energetic mood of the 2013 base vintage in a compelling and enticing rendition of its NV blanc de blancs. The characteristic struck-flint reduction of the style makes way for crunchy lemon, fresh grapefruit and spicy white nectarine, set against a rising torrent of brioche and nougat. It confidently projects the majesty of its grand cru origins in great fruit presence, lively acid tension and, most of all, the spectacular, fine, frothing chalk mineral structure of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, concluding with fantastic harmony and persistence. The 2012 base presents gently creamy finesse with poised assurance and approachable grace.

The nose is fruity, mineral, well-built and offers a small juiciness. It reveals notes of juicy / crunchy apple, fresh pear and small notes of lemon associated with small touches of white flowers, jasmine, dried zest as well as very fine hints of fresh quince and a very discreet hint of meringue. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy / acidulous frame, elegance, precision, a fine incisive side, a beautiful fruit, a beautiful grain as well as a small minerality. The effervescence is fine, and elegant. On the palate this Champagne expresses notes of juicy lemon, crunchy / juicy apple and small notes of bright vine peach associated with small touches of fresh pear, lemon zest, dried lemon as well as a subtle hint of fresh pineapple, jasmine, dried almond and an imperceptible hint of nutmeg. Good length. Gourmandize on the finish.

The Non-Vintage Delamotte Brut 'Blanc de Blancs' Champagne is a gorgeous new release wine from this estate. The wine is composed of Chardonnay sourced from their vineyards and partner vineyards located in Le Mesnil, Oger, Avize and Cramant. The Chardonnay wine was aged five years on the lees prior to disgorgement. This wine starts with aromas of apricot, biscuit, green papaya and Gravenstein apple. On the mid-palate, this shows nice weight. There are flavors of sourdough bread, apple, starfruit and hints of ginger. This shows very nice poise and minerality. (Best 2016-2026).

Like the 2008 Blanc de Blancs, this too is pure, cool and restrained with a wonderfully elegant array of baked bread, essence of green apple and plenty of citrus influences. There is an equally pure and elegant mouth feel to the energetic middle weight flavors that possess superb delineation on the lingering and attractively dry, crisp and lemony finish that is shaped by a refined effervescence. This is really lovely stuff. 92/now+ .

A very reductive, slightly stifled nose that needs air to open up to an array of assertive aromas of lemons and grilled almonds. The palate has a handy concentration of lemons and grapefruit with grilled peaches, too. Fleshy and expressive chardonnay here. Drink or hold.

The NV Brut Blanc De Blancs Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger is also terrific. Made from 100% Chardonnay, it has a more chiseled, tight, backward style in its sautéed apple and ripe citrus aromas and flavors. It too has terrific minerality, as well as medium body, a fine, elegant mousse, and a great finish.

Disgorged in June 2018, the latest rendition of Delamotte's NV Blanc de Blancs is showing just as well as its immediate predecessor, offering up a classy bouquet of crisp green apple, citrus oil, brioche, toasted nuts and dried white flowers. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, fine-boned and elegant, with a crisp but charming core of fruit, lively acids and a precise, saline finish. 2019-2035.

Green-tinged straw. Citrus fruits and white flowers on the assertively perfumed nose and in the mouth, a hint of iodine building with air. Fleshy and broad but dry, with a chalky quality that carries through the long, sappy finish. A smooth marriage of richness and vivacity, with the heft to handle richer foods and the energy to be enjoyed by itself.

Light yellow. Mineral-tinged peach, melon and pear aromas display excellent clarity, picking up a subtle floral quality with aeration. Supple and seamless on the palate, offering vivid honeydew and pit fruit flavors accented by a vibrant lemon zest quality. Finishes very long, silky and precise, with an echo of juicy melon and strong mineral lift. - Josh Raynolds

Produced exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs, this is a beautiful, dry wine. It has a chalky texture and ample acidity that frames the tight fruit. The pure line of citrus and crisp green apples goes right to the heart of this balanced, bright wine that will age well. Drink now for the forward fruit, or wait for another two to three years.

A subtle version, more impressive today for showing fine balance and texture, as well as chalk-tinged, minerally drive to the hints of creamed apple, lemon parfait, orchard blossom and slivered almond. Very pretty. Drink now through 2020. -AN

Salon - så er ordet sagt. Det må være mærkeligt for huset Delamotte aldrig at få lov at stå helt på egne ben, fordi søster eller moderhuset Salon kaster sit eksklusive skær over champagnerne. Det hele handler om at Salons eventuelle overskudsproduktion eller rettere deklasserede materiale i de årgange hvor den ikke er god nok til standarden, bliver puttet i Delamottes champagner. Salon er kun Salon og altid med årgang og kommer kun ca. tre gange pr. tiår. Stilen er derfor hen ad Salon her, men knapt så smertefuld mineralsk - lidt mere frugtmild, citrus, Haribos syrlinger og bramley æbler. Næsen forekommer mig at ligne en laserstråle, kraftfuld, præcis og slank. Her er power, intensitet uden tyngde og noter af anis i eftersmagen. De 300 er godt givet ud, hvis man er til ultra Le Mesnil sur Oger-style... ikke gangnam style!

NV er et virkelig flot eksempel på blanc de blancs, udpræget chardonnay med en cremet indsmigrende struktur, citrus-noter, mineralske strejf. Glimrende som aperitif - og dagen derpå!

Champagne med en lækker, harmonisk smag med mange facetter. Vinen har ligget på gæren i fire år.

Strågul. Næsen har æble, en mineralsk tone og mandler i en herlig dyb og kompleks næse. Citrusnoter i diskret touch supplerer. Smagen er herligt boblende og intens med æble, mandler, mineraler og frisk syre, der lige nøjagtigt er ramt rigtigt, så Champagnen næsten læsker. Citrusnoterne er der gennem paletten, og intensiteten i vinen er til at smage og nyde. Et rigtigt godt glas Champagne der også kan tilfredsstille selv mere kræsne nydere.