Description
Champagne Salon Le Mesnil France Blanc de Blancs 2013 (WA97)
97- YC, Wine Advocate
2013 is a cool, late-ripening vintage in Champagne, defined by an October harvest in cool but sunny conditions. With a dosage of 5.5 grams per liter, the 2013 Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil possesses a complex, fruity bouquet mingling aromas of orchard fruit with notions of lemon oil, exotic fruits, spring flowers, almond and hints of menthol and buttery pastry. Full-bodied, rich and dense, with lively acids, it’s more complex and incisive than the 2002 and exhibits similar power to the 2012 at this early stage. Despite what was a challenging growing season for some producers, this is a superb Salon with a long, resonant finish.
97-James Suckling
Beautiful and expressive nose of waxed lemons, chamomile, hazelnuts, sourdough, mango stones and hints of orange curd. It's linear and laser-sharp, with an elegant balance of minerality and touches of ripe yellow fruit, all held together by lively acidity and tiny bubbles. Sophisticated. Evolves to a dry chalkiness at the end. Long, textured finish. Disgorged end of 2022. Drink or hold.
Story
The first vintage of Champagne Salon was 1905. It was the creation of Eugène-Aimé Salon, a unique character with unwavering ambition. In love with champagne and captivated by the terroir of Le Mesnil, Eugène-Aimé Salon created a champagne after his own heart: an unparalleled Blanc de Blancs. Initially he created this for his personal pleasure only – it was not until the 1920s that he was to share his creation with the rest of the world.
Champagne Salon comes from a single hectare plot called « the Salon garden » and nineteen other small plots in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger selected by Eugène-Aimé Salon at the beginning of the 20th century. The wines are aged in our cellars for an average of ten years, after which they finally start to reveal their complexity and finesse.
PRESENTATION
Only the 44th release in its 120-year history, Salon 2013 has arrived like some Greek god, with a chiselled profile and lithe, perfectly sculpted long limbs, primed to conquer our hearts and palates. 2013 is distinctive for its extraordinary stature, which will forever set it apart. On approach, its fine features seem to crystallise; its line and curve coming into focus, drawing us in with its beauty. Ten years of cellaring were required for this Proteus to develop its impressive physique and insolent beauty.
THE VINTAGE
Despite harsh winter weather and an equally cold, long spring, the vineyards did not suffer from frost in 2013. Budburst in April took place under heavy rains that stopped only in early July when the vines were in full bloom. The likelihood of a late September - early October harvest became obvious. The focus remained at that time on the vines and soil; each plot and plant reacted differently and treatment was adopted accordingly. Intense heat reigned throughout the summer, accompanied by spectacular sunshine. But storms raged in some areas with hail salvos wreaking havoc in scattered vineyards. Autumn arrived in full force to complete the grapes’ slow maturity in September, with the first picking starting on 1st October in the Salon plots. Despite the volumes destroyed by bad weather and the strict selection practised at harvest, the magnificent 2013 harvest boasted a yield of 13,000 kg/hectare. The Chardonnays held their own with good alcoholic content and excellent acidity: an extremely promising sign!
Origin：France
Type：Champagne
Grapes：Chardonnary
Alcohol：12 %
Bottle Size：750ml
