Delamotte Blanc de Blancs

Disgorged in June 2018, the latest rendition of Delamotte's NV Blanc de Blancs is showing just as well as its immediate predecessor, offering up a classy bouquet of crisp green apple, citrus oil, brioche, toasted nuts and dried white flowers. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, fine-boned and elegant, with a crisp but charming core of fruit, lively acids and a precise, saline finish. - William Kelley. 

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.

The NV Brut Blanc De Blancs Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger is also terrific. Made from 100% Chardonnay, it has a more chiseled, tight, backward style in its sautéed apple and ripe citrus aromas and flavors. It too has terrific minerality, as well as medium body, a fine, elegant mousse, and a great finish.

6g/L dosage. Grand cru Chardonnay from Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil in roughly equal proportions, aged for a minimum 48 months on lees. The current release is based on the 2015 vintage, and includes 15% reserve wines. Malolactic is used but no oak, in pursuit of a wine that embodies the concentration of Chardonnay style. This is open and approachable, with quite opulent aromas of ripe peach fruit, lemon citrus, white flowers, brioche and a hint of marzipan. Mellow but structured, with purity, complexity and freshness – this would be a perfect match for oysters or other seafood.