Description & elaboration
The Collection Blanc de Blancs 2004 cuvée by Delamotte is a champagne from the Côte des Blancs, crafted exclusively from Chardonnay selected from Grand Cru-classified villages. It is a champagne of remarkable precision and purity, offering notes of fresh citrus, ripe white fruits and golden pastry. On the palate, a silky texture stretches into a long, saline finish. This Collection edition remains confidential, reserved for connoisseurs who know how to wait.
This edition rests fourteen years on laths before disgorgement. This extended ageing develops a deep tertiary patina, while the mineral tension of the vintage remains intact. Although the 2004 harvest was generous, the volume of this Collection edition remains deliberately limited.
The Terroir
The grapes come exclusively from the Côte des Blancs, across six Grand Cru-classified villages: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Avize, Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry. These communes rest on a subsoil of outcropping Campanian chalk. This fossiliferous limestone bedrock regulates water supply to the vines, ensuring consistent hydration throughout the summer.
The plots are predominantly east-facing.Vinification
This Blanc de blancs is made exclusively from Chardonnay. The musts ferment in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, preserving the primary fruit aromas. Malolactic fermentation (the conversion of sharp acidity into lactic roundness) then softens the wine's structure.
Ageing extends over 168 months in the chalky cellars. This autolysis (prolonged contact with spent yeasts) enriches the palate structure and develops notes of brioche and hazelnut. Disgorgement takes place in 2019.
The 2004 vintage
The year 2004 follows the heatwave of 2003. The winter is cool and dry, while a rainy spring calls for heightened vigilance in the vineyard. The May–June flowering proves homogeneous, offering strong quantitative potential. Summer temperatures remain moderate through August.
August records above-average rainfall. An Indian summer nonetheless settles in September, allowing the bunches to reach full maturity under cool nights. The diurnal temperature range preserves the natural vivacity of the berries. Harvest begins in late September in excellent sanitary condition. Chardonnay stands out for its marked nervous tension, the hallmark of this vintage.
Tasting notes
Appearance
The robe displays a pale gold colour with brilliant highlights. The effervescence unfolds in a fine, regular bead of bubbles.
Nose
The first nose reveals powerful aromas of white fruits and citrus. Aeration releases notes of buttery pastry and subtle hints of toasted hazelnut.
Palate
The attack reveals a velvety, generous texture. The mid-palate expresses a chalky richness, before a lingering finish with a delicate saline persistence.
Food pairing suggestions
- Comté gougères
- Scallop carpaccio
- Oscietra caviar on blinis
- Turbot with lemon butter
- Creamy porcini risotto
- Roasted Bresse chicken
- 36-month aged Parmesan
- 24-month aged Comté
- Mirabelle plum tart
The Plus de Bulles expert's opinion
Why I love it
I was captivated by the straightforwardness of this Chardonnay. Its chalky minerality blends seamlessly with notes of toasted hazelnut and candied citrus. What moves me most is that persistent tension and the exceptionally fine bubble, which underscores a saline finish.
My recommendation
Serve at 10–12 °C in a wine glass to release its full complexity. I recommend pairing it with pan-seared scallops or a well-aged Comté.
Tips & advice
How to store this champagne?
Plus de Bulles ships this bottle (75cl) in reinforced cardboard packaging specially designed for champagne. Once received, store the bottle on its side, away from light. The original wooden case limits thermal shocks and provides an ideal storage environment. Ideally in an underground cellar; otherwise, in a cool, not too dry place with a stable temperature.
Ageing potential
The Collection Blanc de Blancs 2004 by Delamotte will continue to evolve for 20 to 25 years. Its aromas will keep rounding out over time.
- At the time of disgorgement: the wine displayed a dominant profile of fresh and candied citrus. The young Chardonnay character set the tone of the bottle at that stage.
- From 2015 onwards: the aromatic profile gains complexity. Toasted notes of brioche and grilled bread emerge progressively.
- Around 2029: the champagne will express tertiary notes of honey and dried fruits, which will dominate the finish.
Serving suggestions
The recommended serving temperature is 10–12 °C. A tulip-shaped glass encourages natural aeration and concentrates the autolytic aromas towards the nose. Opening the bottle a few minutes before serving helps the aromatic expression to blossom, revealing the full complexity of its ageing.
An interesting fact about this cuvée
Maison Delamotte has carried the motto "Vive et me ama" since its establishment in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in 1760. The chalky imprint of this vintage is reminiscent of an exceptional Grand Cru-classified Chardonnay from the surrounding area. The east-facing terroirs of the Côte des Blancs are documented by the Comité Champagne for their geological specificity. The house occasionally produces still wines under the Coteaux Champenois appellation.
A metal plate is hand-applied to each bottle of the edition. The wooden case completes this refined presentation and protects the glass. You will also find the Brut Rosé from Maison Delamotte in the catalogue, a complementary expression of the same vineyard.
