Delamotte

Maison Delamotte has been a benchmark in Champagne since 1760.

Delamotte was founded in Reims in 1760 by vineyard owner François Delamotte, a vineyard owner. At more than 250 years old, it is the fifth oldest house in Champagne. After the House of Delamotte moved to a beautiful mansion at the end of the 18th century and in 1828, his brother, Nicolas Louis Delamotte, also known as the Chevalier Delamotte Barrachin, assumed management in 1828. In his tenure with the Chamber of Commerce, Nicolas was well known for hosting spectacular events, namely the coronation of France’s last king, Charles X.

The House was sold to the Lanson family in the 1830s, who later started producing a Lanson label, and later was acquired by Marie-Louise de Nonancourt, née Lanson, in the period between the two World Wars. In 1927, Marie-Louise made the decision to transfer the activities of the house of Delamottte to Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. In 1988, the House of Delamotte joined forces with the still enigmatic Champagne Salon under the umbrella of the parent company, Laurent-Perrier, led by Charles’ brother, Bernard. Today, the House of Delamotte and its sister company Champagne Salon are under the direction of Didier Depond.

The name Le Mesnil resonates in a special way with lovers of great wine. Nestled in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, 100% Chardonnay and 100% grand cru, this is the king of Champagne vineyards. It is here that the most profound expression of Chardonnay's delicate freshness truly comes to the fore, where magnanimous nature offers a wine that is purity itself.

Chardonnay grapes from Grand Cru Le Mesnil-sur-Oger are the key componet of the house’s Champagne, while a small quantity of grapes from Grand Crus Avize, Oger, and Cramant are also being used to balance out the harvest. Pinot Noir grapes from the 100% Grand Crus of the Montagne de Reims, like Bouzy, Ambonnay, and Tours-sur-Marne, are added to make Delamotte Brut and Delamotte Rosé. The vineyards of Delamotte and those of their faithful growers receive special care to maintain uniform quality standards. A close cooperation, developed over decades of working together, ensures that pruning, nipping of buds, tying of the vines, and the other viticultural tasks are done in the most efficient manner to yield the highest quality grapes.

Our winemaking is straightforward, there are no secrets, and all the wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks. A very restrained dosage is used, so as not to alter the purity of the fruit, producing an untouched and mineral style of wine. Only 10% reserve wines are used, enhancing the essential characteristics of the vineyards, an endless “crayeux” expression of Champagne.
Grown on chalk soil our Chardonnay is quite austere at birth; hence the wine is laid to rest and develop on its lees” for 4 to 5 years before disgorgement (while the legal minimum is 15 months). The disgorged wine will improve for 2 to 6 years.

Brut NV
A blend of approximately 55% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 10% Pinot Meunier, which combine to give a wine of subtle power, appealing freshness, soft curves, and a precise, fresh fruit finish. Aged on the lees for 30-36 months, Delamotte Brut receives a light dosage of 7 g/l.

Blanc de Blancs NV
A superlative expression of Grand Cru Chardonnay, Delamotte Blanc de Blancs is made from estate vineyards and partner vineyards all situated in the Grands Crus of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, and Cramant. A very restrained dosage is used, so as not to alter the purity of the fruit, producing an untouched and mineral style of wine, which is then laid to rest and develope on its lees for 4-5 years. Only 10% reserve wines are used, enhancing the essential characteristics of the vineyards, an endless crayeux expression of Champagne.

Blanc de Blancs Vintage
Made in only the best years from the best wines of the House, this wine shows the magnificence of the Chardonnay grape in its fullest glory. Grapes from the Grand Crus Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Oger, and then Cramant, Chouilly, and Oiry form a sextet of excellence in this cuvée which is aged on the lees for up to nine years.

Rosé NV
Delamotte Brut Rosé is made by the traditional saignée method, extracting color and complexity from the skins through maceration before and during fermentation. This traditional rosé method is seldom used in Champagne because of the complex process, although it brings much elegance and structure to the wine. 80% Pinot Noir is sourced from Grand Cru vineyards located in the southeast slopes of the Montagne de Reims: Bouzy, Ambonnay, and Tours-sur-Marne. The 20% Chardonnay is from Le Mesnil-sur- Oger.

In 1760, Champagne Delamotte was one of only five Champagne houses in the region. Located in the heart of the Côte des Blancs in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger it is the sister house of Champagne Salon, with which it shares the same viticultural, winemaking and management team.

Vineyard location is the key that guides Delamotte’s expression, defining the house’s elegant and focused style of wine. A house like no other with all its vineyards sourced from the Grands Crus of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Avize and Cramant for chardonnay, Delamotte is one of the very few négociants to cultivate such a passion for the expression of this unique ward of Champagne.