History and location
François Delamotte founded Maison Delamotte in 1760 in Reims. Marie-Louise de Nonancourt established Champagne Delamotte in 1927 in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger anew. The house is located in the Côte des Blancs in France.
Vineyards and grape varieties
Delamotte describes Le Mesnil-sur-Oger as a Grand-Cru village. The vineyards used for the wines are situated on slopes; the character of the Blanc de Blancs is linked to pure chalk soils and the chalk-influenced terroir of the Côte des Blancs. The Blanc de Blancs is produced from 100% Chardonnay from Grand-Cru vineyards.
Wines and maturation
The range includes Delamotte Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Rosé and Blanc de Blancs Vintage. The Brut consists of 60% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 5% Pinot Meunier, while the Rosé is made from 88% Chardonnay and 12% Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir for the Rosé is vinified as a red wine. The wines are produced as Champagne wines under the designation Champagne.
The Blanc de Blancs is vinified in stainless-steel tanks and matured on the lees for four to five years before disgorging. The Brut receives a light dosage after 36 months on the lees; this maturation period applies, according to Delamotte, to the entire range.
Vintage wines
The vintage Blanc de Blancs are assembled from Grand-Cru Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Avize, Cramant, Oiry and Chouilly. Delamotte states a vintage only if the wines display an exceptional balance between ripeness and acidity. For the 2018 vintage, the house reports record rainfall up to the end of winter and that the chalk soils stored around 600 litres of water per cubic metre in the year of cultivation.
