Delamotte

History of Champagne Delamotte

The history of Champagne Delamotte dates back to 1760, when François Delamotte, a vineyard owner in Reims and captain of the city's bourgeois militia, decided to leave his duties to follow in his father-in-law's footsteps and become a winegrower. Together with his son Alexandre, he founded the Maison Delamotte, which became one of the five oldest Champagne houses. Success came quickly: in the 19th century, the house established itself among the Champagne references and moved from the heart of Reims to the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the very heart of the prestigious Côte des Blancs.

Over the centuries, Delamotte has pursued a single objective: to sublime Chardonnay, the king grape of the Côte des Blancs. In 1921, Eugène-Aimé Salon created, just a few meters from Delamotte, the legendary Maison Salon, which produces only one vintage Blanc de Blancs in the very greatest vintages, considered the rarest and most prestigious Champagne in the world. The two houses are historically linked and became twin sisters. Since 1988, Delamotte and Salon have been owned by the Laurent-Perrier group, but each retains its own identity and very precise style. Delamotte remains largely family-run in its management, which has allowed it to maintain its small-scale ethos and its deep rootedness in the terroir. Today, the house continues to captivate sommeliers and enthusiasts the world over, acclaimed for its consistency, its delicacy and its exceptional character.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Champagne Delamotte

Maison Delamotte is located in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, an emblematic Grand Cru village at the heart of the Côte des Blancs, the most prestigious part of Champagne for Chardonnay. The house owns a few plots of its own and also sources grapes from long-standing partner winegrowers in the Grand Cru villages of Cramant, Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. These four villages form the historic heart of great Champagne Chardonnay, on pure chalk soils that give the wines their inimitable mineral, saline and sharp signature.

The encépagement is largely dominated by Chardonnay, the only white grape variety used in Champagne, and the sole variety cultivated for the Blanc de Blancs cuvées (which represent the bulk of production). For the Brut and Rosé cuvées, Delamotte completes its sourcing with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from other Champagne villages (notably Ambonnay, Bouzy and Tours-sur-Marne for the Pinot Noir used in the Rosé). The chalky soils, flora and sloping hillsides lend the grapes their exceptional character, guaranteeing delicate and consistent champagnes. The house champions this exceptional terroir with an absolute respect for the vines and the environment. Many of the partner winegrowing families have worked with Delamotte for several generations and have long experience of producing to the house's exacting standards.

Winemaking at Champagne Delamotte

In the cellar, Delamotte applies precise and traditional winemaking methods, faithful to more than 260 years of expertise. The pressings are carried out according to the most demanding Champagne standards, with a gentle and progressive pressing that yields juices of great aromatic purity. Alcoholic fermentations then take place in stainless steel tanks, under controlled temperature conditions, which preserve the freshness and mineral signature of the Chardonnay from the Grands Crus.

The absolute hallmark of Delamotte is the length of its aging on laths. The cuvées mature well beyond the statutory fifteen months: four to five years for the Blanc de Blancs before disgorgement, and even longer for the Blanc de Blancs Millésimé. This patience allows the wines, sometimes a little austere in their youth, to reach their full aromatic maturity and optimal complexity. After disgorgement, the aging continues to refine the finesse and elegance of each cuvée. The range is deliberately limited to four cuvées, in a spirit of bold simplicity that allows amateurs and experts alike to clearly understand the art of Champagne. The result is a signature recognizable above all others: mineral, chiseled, elegant Champagnes with a fine and persistent mousse, incomparable freshness, that rank among the absolute references of Blanc de Blancs.

The Cuvées of Champagne Delamotte

Delamotte Brut: the entry-level cuvée and flagship of the house, crafted from a blend of 60% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 5% Pinot Meunier. The Chardonnay contributes structure and minerality, the Pinot Noir depth and fruit, and the Pinot Meunier aromatic density. Pale golden robe, fine and persistent bubble, an expressive nose with notes of citrus, brioche, fresh fruits and a floral touch, a fresh, rounded, balanced palate with elegant length. Ideal with fish, seafood or fine poultry.

Delamotte Blanc de Blancs: the house's emblematic cuvée, crafted from 100% Chardonnay sourced exclusively from the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Oger, Cramant). Aged on laths for 4 to 5 years, well beyond the standards. Pale golden robe, fine bubble, an intense nose with aromas of citrus zests, fresh bread, nougat, stone fruits and white flowers, a medium-bodied, ample and silky palate with a long finish. Notes of croissants, toasted sourdough bread, white pears, acacia and lemon meringue tart. Ideal with oysters, grilled fish or even crunchy radishes with fleur de sel.

Delamotte Blanc de Blancs Millésimé: an exceptional vintage cuvée, crafted only in the greatest vintages (notably 2018), from 100% Chardonnay sourced from Mesnil-sur-Oger (20%), Avize (20%), Oger (20%) and Cramant. An even longer aging on laths than the non-vintage Blanc de Blancs cuvée. Brilliant robe, complex and deep nose, a taut, dense palate with a pronounced chalky signature and great aging potential. An absolute reference among the great Blanc de Blancs of Champagne.

Delamotte Rosé: a rare cuvée, crafted with extreme care from Chardonnays sourced from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize and Oger, complemented by Pinot Noir from the Grands Crus of Ambonnay, Bouzy and Tours-sur-Marne. Elegant pale salmon robe, fine bubble, a subtle nose with notes of summer fruits, red fruits, spices and a smoky touch, an elegant, complex, subtle palate with a precise signature. A gastronomic Champagne rosé.

Delamotte Collection (older vintages): older Blanc de Blancs Millésimé cuvées, sometimes available in perfect cellar storage conditions. The 2008 vintage notably received the exceptional score of 95 points by Robert Parker, with a confidential production of only 60,000 bottles (one third of the usual production), testifying to the house's absolute commitment to crafting an exceptional cuvée. A rare collection, prized by amateurs and collectors alike.