Delamotte Blanc de Blancs 2012
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In the glass it immediately shows its impatience. Delicate, thin, and vivid bubblesare quick to form an elegant, pale gold crown at the top of the glass. On the nose, it gives off an irresistible sensation of freshness. Aromas of lemon, English candy, and lychee, along with a suggestion of white flowers, waft from the glass. On the palate it is both creamy and sharp and is prolonged by a long mineral finish, punctuated by a bitter orange peel. A Champagne of great energy and a perfect representation of the 2012 vintage!
Pairs well with truffle stuffed chicken in a Suprême sauce or equally a simple truffle Camembert or Brie. And why not a cream of cep mushroom soup with a pastry lid?
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Shortly to be released in magnum, Delamotte's 2012 Blanc de Blancs continues to perform very well, unwinding in the glass with scents of crisp orchard fruit, buttered toast, white flowers, fresh bread and orange oil. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's racy and concentrated, with an elegant mousse and a long, mineral finish. This is well worth seeking out. Rating : 94+
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James Suckling
A pretty Blanc de Blancs with aromas of white grapefruit, lemon pith, dried honeysuckle and white peach. Silky and creamy with bright acidity and an elegant finish. Drink now.
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Wine Enthusiast
Since the house is based in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger on the Côte des Blancs, it is hardly surprising that this vintage wine is pure Chardonnay. It is relatively young and tight, with crisp citrus shot through by tangy acidity.
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Wine Spectator
A fresh and creamy version, featuring a tang of salinity, layered with pear, kiwifruit, green almond and lime blossom notes. Not a powerhouse, but an elegant crowd-pleaser. Disgorged June 2019. Drink now through 2024.
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Wine & Spirits
This chardonnay is sourced from six grand cru villages in the Côte des Blancs: Le Mesnilsur- Oger, Avize, Oger, Cramant, Oiry and Chouilly. It’s savory, with flavors as rich as buttermilk biscuits, while citrusy acidity and a chalky structure is present under the lushness of the fruit. Serve it as you would a rich white Burgundy.
Other Vintages
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The House of Delamotte is the fifth-oldest Champagne house in the region, founded in 1760. It is located in the heart of the Côte des Blancs in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Delamotte is small (just 25,000 cases annually) and one of Champagne's best-kept secrets. It is the sister winery of the legendary House of Salon. The two wineries sit side-by-side and are both run by Didier Depond.
"Delamotte has always been somewhat of an insider's house, producing high quality at realistic prices. One of the best buys in exquisitely crafted Champagne."
- Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Representing the topmost expression of a Champagne house, a vintage Champagne is one made from the produce of a single, superior harvest year. Vintage Champagnes account for a mere 5% of total Champagne production and are produced about three times in a decade. Champagne is typically made as a blend of multiple years in order to preserve the house style; these will have non-vintage, or simply, NV on the label. The term, "vintage," as it applies to all wine, simply means a single harvest year.
Associated with luxury, celebration, and romance, the region, Champagne, is home to the world’s most prized sparkling wine. In order to bear the label, ‘Champagne’, a sparkling wine must originate from this northeastern region of France—called Champagne—and adhere to strict quality standards. Made up of the three towns Reims, Épernay, and Aÿ, it was here that the traditional method of sparkling wine production was both invented and perfected, birthing a winemaking technique as well as a flavor profile that is now emulated worldwide.
Well-drained, limestone and chalky soil defines much of the region, which lend a mineral component to its wines. Champagne’s cold, continental climate promotes ample acidity in its grapes but weather differences from year to year can create significant variation between vintages. While vintage Champagnes are produced in exceptional years, non-vintage cuvées are produced annually from a blend of several years in order to produce Champagnes that maintain a consistent house style.
With nearly negligible exceptions, . These can be blended together or bottled as individual varietal Champagnes, depending on the final style of wine desired. Chardonnay, the only white variety, contributes freshness, elegance, lively acidity and notes of citrus, orchard fruit and white flowers. Pinot Noir and its relative Pinot Meunier, provide the backbone to many blends, adding structure, body and supple red fruit flavors. Wines with a large proportion of Pinot Meunier will be ready to drink earlier, while Pinot Noir contributes to longevity. Whether it is white or rosé, most Champagne is made from a blend of red and white grapes—and uniquely, rosé is often produce by blending together red and white wine. A Champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay will be labeled as ‘blanc de blancs,’ while ones comprised of only red grapes are called ‘blanc de noirs.’