DESCRIPTION
James Suckling 94
“Beautifully expressive and complex nose with yellow-citrus and stone-fruit aromas, delivered in a subtly toasty shroud of nutty complexity. The palate is nicely delivered in a layered, fresh-lemon and grapefruit style with a smooth and elegant, soft-pastry finish. Drink now.” (September, 2018)
Vinous Media (Antonio Galloni) 93
“The 2008 Delamotte is a deep, resonant Champagne endowed with stunning lays of depth. In 2008 Delamotte has all of the kaleidoscopic, multi-dimensional personality of the vintage, but the full malolactic fermentation softens some of the natural angularity of the year. Pastry, vanillin, baked apple, dried flowers and chamomile are all beautifully sculpted in the glass. This is one of the most accessible young 2008 Champagnes readers will come across, but there is real staying power and more than enough depth to support many years of fine drinking. Dosage is 6.5 grams per liter.” (July, 2018)
Wine Advocate (Stephan Reinhardt) 93
“The 2008 Blanc de Blancs offers a deep, clear, fresh and complex bouquet of chalk, lemon leaves, lemon zest and concentrated yellow fruit expressions (mirabelles) that are discreet but give the background prospect of this remarkable wine. Delamotte's 2008 combines freshness and purity with maturity, complexity and mineral tension. It is almost austere toward the finish but has lots of charm, finesse and elegance and is driven by clean acidity. The grapes for the 2008 were sourced in Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Oger, Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry, and the blend was aged on the second lees for nine years before disgorgement.” (November, 2018)
Wine & Spirits 93
“It’s clear when this wine is first opened that there’s something complex and layered, but it gives little of itself. When I came back to it later in the day, the wine had opened beautifully. What had been a contrast of cool and heady had merged into a creamy, intriguing chalk line of flavor, its richness held with tension, those chardonnay-in-chalk flavors presented with clarity. A lovely, classical Blanc de Blancs Champagne.” (December, 2018)
Wine Enthusiast (Roger Voss) 93
“Drawing on fruit from the Côte des Blancs, this wine is concentrated and still young. Density comes from the strong minerality that is balanced by a lemon flavor. Textured and taut, this wine needs time in the cellar. Drink from 2020.” (December, 2018)
Wine Spectator (Alison Napjus) 92
“A smoke-tinged note of toasted brioche enriches flavors of glazed apricot, crystalized honey, verbena and chalky mineral in this well-balanced and creamy Champagne, backed by bright acidity. Offers a zesty finish of spice, mineral and citrus. Drink now through 2028. 1,200 cases imported.” (November, 2018)
