Delamotte Blanc de Blancs 2018, AOC Champagne 750 ml

Selected for its richness and aging potential, Delamotte Blanc des Blancs Millésimé belongs to the select club of great wines and promises magnificent pairings for lovers of fine dining.

HARVEST

Watered by record rainfall, the soils of the Champagne region are overflowing with water at the end of winter. In the Côte des Blancs, the chalk accumulates its reserves, storing up to 600 liters of water per cubic meter! A treasure for the vines that will be of great help during the winemaking season. After the episodes of frost, cold, and snow at the end of February and beginning of March, the mercury rises gently again, undoubtedly paving the way for a full-blown burst of new growth. This mildness soon gives way to early warmth, accelerating the vines' growth until the Chardonnay reaches full bloom on May 30th. The constant sunshine and heat persist throughout the summer, and the aridity settles in for an unprecedented period in Champagne, not even in 2003. While evident, the aridity is most visible on the surface, since beneath the vines, a reservoir of water remains, providing a lifeline throughout the season—a stroke of luck! As expected, harvest time arrives in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger on August 27th, yielding mountains of grapes not only of unparalleled size and weight (175g for the Chardonnay bunches!), but also of impeccable health in 100% of the plots! Something never before seen. The vintage shows a potential alcohol content exceeding 10% ABV and a medium-low acidity, which, despite this, will not detract from its freshness and elegance. These conditions are reminiscent of the 1976 vintage, but with an abundance of fruit.

TERROIR

The Côte des Blancs terroir stretches from Cramant to Mesnil-sur-Oger, passing through Avize and Oger, and from Chouilly to Oiry. Its location is one of Delamotte's greatest assets. The limestone soils, the flora, and the sloping vineyards contribute to the exceptional character of the grapes from this land and allow for the production of delicate champagnes of consistent quality.

Celebrating this terroir and bringing out the best in it while respecting the vines and the environment—that is the essence of Delamotte.

WINE PRODUCTION

The wines of Mesnil-sur-Oger (beautiful acidity, purity, calcareous, saline, and salivary minerality, long finish), Avize (balance and structure), Oger (warmth, fullness, generosity, fruit presence), finally Cramant (minerality with smoky notes), Chouilly (structure, length), and Oiry (soft acidity and roundness), form a sextet of excellence, transcended in the blending of this Delamotte Blanc de Blancs 2018.

AGING

Disgorged in its fourth vintage, it continues to display its precocity, eager to launch itself into the world in search of recognition. Driven by the ardor of youth, the charm of this vintage takes effect immediately.

GRAPES

100% Chardonnay

SPECIFICATIONS

Dosage: 5 g/l

SERVING

Chilled but not chilled (around 8°C) and served in a tulip glass.

AGING POTENTIAL

Over 15 years