Delamotte

Delamotte is the alter ego, if you like, of Salon, that rare bird of the Cote des Blancs. The company does have 11ha of its own vines (in Le Mesnil, Oger, and Avize) and makes a number of its own purchases, but it also inherits all of the Salon wine not required by Salon - which, in years when Salon does not declare, means the entire harvest. Like Salon, it is owned by Laurent-Perrier; indeed it was at Delamotte that the Great Bernard de Nonancourt began his career after his distinguished war years. The fresh, smoky non0vintage Brut is 50% Chardonnay from Mesnil, Avize, and Oger; plus 30% Grand Cru Pinot Noir from Ambonnay and Bouzy; it lies on its lees for three years. In theory, Delamotte undergoes malolactic fermentation whereas Salon does not.