DELAMOTTE BLANC DE BLANCS

Delamotte is closely allied with Salon and refers to itself as a "sister house" to the legendary Le Mesni-sur-Oger mono-cru. Delamotte has been Salon's neighbor for more than a century and the two firms joined forces in 1988 and were both acquired by Laurent Perrier a year later. Delamotte receives all the juice from its thousand-dollars a-bottle sibling in vintages when Salon isn't produced. In these years the entire production of Salon is incorporated into Delamotte's multi-vintage Blanc de Blancs. The rest of Delamont's Blanc de Blancs is composed of Chardonnay grapes from the Grands Crus of Cramant, Avize and Oger. The chalky soil, the flora and the sloping aspect of these vineyard sites gives the grapes their exceptional character, delivering delicate, consistent Champagnes. This remarkable fruit pedigree combined with the dedication and savoir-faire of Didier Depond and his production team has made Delamotte one of Champagne's most exciting and reliable multi-vintage Blanc de Blancs. At its normal eighty-five-dollar price point, this Delamotte is a "smart buy" but at our Direct Import sale price it is definitely a, not to be missed, slam dunk.

WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The latest release of Delamotte's NV Brut Blanc de Blancs, the house's emblematic bottling, is once again showing very well, bursting with aromas of citrus zest, freshly baked bread, nougat, crisp stone fruit and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, ample and pillowy, with a fleshy core of fruit, bright acids and a pretty pinpoint mousse, it's a seamless, elegant wine that concludes with a flavorful finish."-Willian Kelley

WINE ENTHUSIAST 93 POINTS - "Based on the Côte des Blancs, the Champagne home of Chardonnay, it's logical that this producer should make a fine Blanc de Blancs. This wine has all the attributes, with crisp apple and a mineral texture that is tightly prominent. This is a fine wine, just hinting at toastiness. Drink now."-Roger Voss

JAMES SUCKLING 93 POINTS - "Croissants, toasted sourdough, white pears, acacia and lemon meringue pie. Salty almond notes on the palate. Deliciously saline and creamy, with silky bubbles and a gently toasty finish. 100% Chardonnay from Mesnil, Avize and Oger. Based on 2017 vintage with 20% reserve wines. Drink now."

WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS - "A lovely aperitif-style Champagne for the fine mousse and graceful integration of minerally overtones, with lively acidity and notes of Anjou pear, blanched almond, oyster shell and white blossoms. Creamy finish. Drink now through 2026."