Salon “Le Mesnil” Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne

描述

99 points Decanter

 A relatively easy vintage in terms of grape growing, despite a rainy month of August that led to a late-ripening end of season, with the harvest beginning on 23 September. A mineral-infused nose of pronounced limestone character is compellingly complicated by scents of truffle, spice and butter. The palate is dense and spherical with a seductive fleshy texture. The beautifully balanced finish has a touch of bewitching bitterness and salinity. (YC)  (1/2020)

98 points James Suckling

 2004 Salon weaves together immense complexity with stunning purity and makes instant impact on the nose with fresh-baked pastry and brioche, chalky minerals, fresh white mushroom, cucumber, lemon curd and striking lemon and lime citrus fruits. The palate has an almost smoky mineral thread, toasty autolytic flavors build and expand through the mid-palate, opening to grapefruit and ripe white peach flavours, lemon sorbet and very lightly grilled hazelnuts to close. This is an impressively layered Blanc de Blancs in which bright acidity supports the flavorsome, concentrated and fleshy texture in seamless balance. A great Salon, very composed and complex in every respect, a classically styled vintage in which this legendary Champagne has excelled. It will be a fascinatingly complex Champagne with further age.  (5/2016)

98 points Wine Enthusiast

 Salon’s releases are rare and signify a great vintage—the last release was the 2002. Coming from grand cru vineyards in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, this 2004 is complex and concentrated, capturing the essence of Chardonnay in Champagne. Intense minerality and ripe apple and citrus fruits accompany the purity and crisp texture that are part of its ability to age. *Best of 2016, Cellar Selection* (RV)  (12/2016)

97 points Vinous

 The 2004 Salon (Edition 2019) is fabulous. That is hardly a surprise, as the 2004 has always been magnificent. Subtle, nuanced and classy to the core, the 2004 shows the more refined side of Salon. In that sense, it shares a good bit stylistically with both the 2007 and 2008, but much less so than with the 2006. Sweet floral notes add lift to a core of crystalline, mineral-infused Chardonnay fruit in a Salon that is precise, light on its feet and buffered by enough energy to drink well for decades to come. Disgorged: January, 2019. (AG)  (7/2019)

96 points Wine Advocate

 The 2004 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut is another rather structured, tensile wine from a generally rather open vintage. Wafting from the glass are scents of citrus rind, crisp green apple, preserved citrus, fresh bread and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, tangy and chiseled, with fine depth at the core and a long, chalky finish, it’s complemented by a pillowy pinpoint mousse. (WK)  (3/2021)

95 points Wine & Spirits

 Salon is Chardonnay from 20 parcels in Le Mesnil, all the original blocks chosen by Aîmé Salon with his first vintage in 1905. This latest vintage is quiet at first, its sophisticated layering of flavors opening over the course of several days. With air, this tastes like a Puligny with bubbles, its vinous character portrayed in scents of white flowers, chamomile, peaches, kumquats and lemongrass, all of that intensity of flavor shepherded by the chalky direction of limestone acidity. Decant it if you open the wine now; this is structured to age for decades.  (12/2016)

94 points Wine Spectator

 This elegant Champagne features ripe, up-front aromas and flavors of dried apricot, crystallized honey and candied kumquat, giving way on the creamy palate to more subtle notes of raw almond, fleur de sel and star anise. Mouthwatering, with a chalky underpinning and a lovely, satiny finish. *Collectibles* (AN)  (9/2016)

Jancis Robinson

 Very refined light lemony nose with a slightly dusty character, almost like sherbet but not sweet. Biscuity note softens the really crisp and elegant lemon flavour. Tiny bubbles, and smoothed by the creamy lees texture. Very youthful and so tight. So light on its feet but incredibly long. (JH) 18/20 points  (4/2016)