Champagne Delavenne Pere et Fils
For 4 generations the Delavenne family has been producing distinctive Champagne cuvees from their 9 hectare estate in the Grand Cru villages of Bouzy, Cramant and Ambonnay. All the vineyards are Grand Cru and every effort is made to retain the pure expression of the terroir. All fermentations are done in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks as it is felt that barrels would detract from the transparency of terroir.
None of the wines are put through malolactic fermentation to maintain the exceptionally bright, fresh and clean, knife-edge acidity. All cuvees are aged a minimum of three years in bottle. The estate produces their own liqueur from cane sugar mixed with older wines. Vintage wines are hand-riddled; non-vintage are riddled by machine.
Agriculture is mostly organic and no herbicides are used.
Annual production is 70,000b and 300,000b are kept in the cellars.
The end result is a set of fascinating cuvees with a distinct style combing crystalline acidity, brilliant purity of fruit and a sense of Grand Cru quality.
Wines Produced
NV Grand Cru Brut Tradition
NV Grand Cru Brut Rose
NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
NV Grand Cru Brut Millesime
Distributors
Illinois: Louis Glunz Wines
Montana: Eagle Beverage
40% Chardonnay 60% Pinot Noir
Blended 2010 and 2011 vintage
dosage 9g/L
bright lemon citrus, clean crisp acidity
fresh, dry finish
17% Bouzy Rouge blended in, all Grand Cru
Dosage 9.5g/L
Lovely dark pink rose color, fresh, clean, concentrated
strawberry, berry fruit
long bright finish
100% Chardonnay Grand Cru mainly 2011 vintage
Dosage 7.8g/L
Tiny bubbles
Very rich and toasty with layers of lemon curd and citrus
Crystalline acidity
Bright, fresh and crisp
Will dramatically improve with age
2009 Delavenne Brut Millesime
80% Chardonnay Grand Cru 20% Pinot Noir Grand Cru for roundness
Dosage 7.8g/L
Fantastic concentration, exceptionally long and rich
Lemon zest and citrus
Very ageworthy