Salon, Le Mesnil Cuvée S Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2006

Region: France, Champagne, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger

Salon is unique among champagne houses in that it only produces one wine, exclusively from the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, and only in the best vintages. The first vintage of Salon offered for sale was the 1921. Salon is now owned by the Laurent-Perrier group, which also owns Delamotte, located next door in Le Mesnil.

Today, Salon is made from twenty parcels in the heart of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Rich in flavour and saturated by chalky minerality, Salon is a refined and urbane expression of Le Mesnil’s terroir. The opportunity to taste a Salon in maturity is one of the great experiences of Champagne. – Peter Liem

2006 Salon:

“The 2006 Salon is a very rich wine, almost uncharacteristically so. Deep and exotic the 2006 exudes richness in all of its dimensions, with myriad inflections of sumptuous fruit that fill out its ample, large-scaled frame. Today, the 2006 is surprisingly accessible for a young Salon, but it needs time to shed some baby fat. At times, the 2006 recalls the 2002, but it appears to have more phenolic intensity and overall structure. Even with all of its flamboyance and pure volume, the 2006 retains quite a bit of energy and freshness. I imagine it will be a fascinating, utterly compelling Champagne to follow over the next several decades. Drink 2026 – 2046.”

97 Points, Antonio Galloni

True to its vintage, this is ample and rich, with a pronounced color and a ripe depth of fruit. It’s generous and mouthfilling on the palate, with hints of fresh caramel and brown butter under the broad flavors of stone fruit and citrus, and it’s surprisingly open and inviting for a Salon of its age, gaining expression and vitality as it sits in the glass. It reflects much of the classic character of Salon, yet it also demonstrates the intrinsic chunkiness of the vintage, and it remains to be seen whether or not it will gain more refinement and finesse with time. Last tasted: 9/18 – Peter Liem

 “This new release from a great vintage for Chardonnay in Champagne is a perfect blanc de blancs, showing a wealth of intensity from the crisp, chalky, mineral tones to the perfumed apple notes. The aromas hint at developing toastiness that adds depth and complexity. The wine is still young and it will age for years. Drink from 2020.”

100 Points, Wine Enthusiast