Wine Advisor
Salon, Cuvee S Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2006
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2006 Salon (Edition 2019) shows a decidedly tropical, exotic profile that is unusual for Salon. Passion fruit, mango, apricot jam and wild floral notes race across the palate as this sumptuous, radiant Salon shows off its alluring personality. Vinous, textured and flamboyantly ripe, the 2006 is one of the most hedonistic Salons in recent memory. I have had slightly fresher examples, but the style of the wine is always the same. Dosage is 5.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: January, 2019.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
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.
About the Producer
Salon is one of the most prestigious houses in Champagne. Instead of making a range of styles that includes a prestige cuvée like most Champagne houses, Salon makes a single prestige cuvée, which is made entirely from Chardonnay from the village Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The house was founded in 1911 by Eugène-Aimé Salon, who thought that Champagne was overly dominated by heavy Pinot Noir. Consequently, Salon decided to make a top Chardonnay-based label instead. Today Salon is made in only the best vintages. The wine comes from a one-hectare (2.5 acre) parcel owned by Salon and 19 smaller parcels cultivated through agreements with various growers in the Grand Cru-classified Le Mesnil. In years deemed not good enough, the grapes and wine production are diverted to become a part of the Champagne Delamotte label. Salon is held back in cellar for much longer than other Champagnes – it can spend up to a decade in bottle before it is released onto the market, and can be cellared further.
