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Delamotte has a beautiful sister brand that resides in the same facility, yet is rarely seen. The illustrious Salon Le Mesnil produces only one wine, from the grand cru of Le Mesnil, and only in the very best of vintages, which may occur only 4 or 5 times in a decade. The last release was in 2012. While the glamour and quality of Salon Le Mesnil is undeniable, the current prices may lead one to consider the more accessible option of Delamotte's flagship wine, the Blanc de Blancs Millesime, produced by the same team in the same facility.
"Delamotte and Salon function as sister houses, sharing offices and facilities in Le Mesnil. Both houses are under the direction of Didier Depond, although the wines are made by Michel Fauconnet, chef de cave of Laurent-Perrier. Delamotte owns six hectares of grapes in Le Mesnil, Oger and Cramant, and in the years when Salon is not produced, those grapes from Salon’s contracts will often go into the Delamotte Brut or non-vintage Blanc de Blancs.
These are quiet, discreet wines, focusing more on subtlety and finesse than on power, and should be paired with cuisines that complement these sensibilities. Delamotte’s wines are very slow to unwind, and tend to show best with a great deal of aging after disgorgement—the more the better. The vintage-dated blanc de blancs are made entirely from grand cru fruit, sourced primarily from vineyards in Le Mesnil and Oger, along with some Avize and Cramant...usually aged for about seven years on its lees; will benefit considerably from further aging after disgorgement." - Peter Liem, The Champagne Guide
Arriving next month.
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