My experience among Champagnes with 100% Chardonnay, defined as “Blanc de Blancs”, continues.
This time I try the Blanc de Blancs Delamotte, Champagne Brut 12% vol.
The Maison is among the five oldest Champagne Houses, born in Reims in 1760 thanks to Francois Delamotte and later moved to the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in Côte des Blancs to be closer to the Chardonnay vineyards that clearly identify their wines. In 1927 Marie-Louise de Nonancourt acquired the Maison which will then be managed by her son Charles until 1988, while the second son Bernard manages another small Maison, Laurent-Perrier, acquired by his mother in 1938. In 1988 the Maison Delamotte passed definitively under the Laurent-Perrier group and, in the same year, the Maison Salon was acquired, too. Since then, Delamotte and Salon become two inseparable but distinct sisters, both under the current leadership of Didier Depond.
Returning to our BdB Delamotte, this Chardonnay is made exclusively in stainless-steel tanks: the fact of not being in contact with the oak of the barrels in its process allows it to keep intact the purity and minerality of the Chardonnay grapes that come from a chalky territory.
Following the addition of a maximum of 10% of Riserva wine, this BdB will maturate on the leeswell beyond the obligatory 15 months (we are talking about at least 3 years before disgorging), acquiring finesse and quality.
Let’s open and taste: color is a straw yellow, perlage is very fine and persistent, just as I like it. On the nose it is floral notes of orange blossom and citrus fruits such as grapefruit. Then the pastry note is released but very delicate with a touch of almond and light hazelnut. And when you taste it, what stands out in the mouth is its minerality which makes it extremely attractive. I find it a Champagne that in its elegance is simple and very pleasant: very suitable for starting a meal, excellent with delicious appetizers, perfect to continue with seafish dishes or even better with grilled shellfish. Santé!