Salon Blanc de Blancs Brut Cuvee Le Mesnil Oenotheque Case

Limited-edition collection with:
1 x 2008 (1.5L), 2 x 2007 (750ml), 2 x 2006 (750ml), 2 x 2004 (750ml)

The 2008 has been bottled only in 1.5L magnums with a total of 8,000 available worldwide.

Salon 2008
100 VM / 100 WA / 100 DE

The 2008 Salon is simply extraordinary. Sadly, there will only be 8,000 magnums for the world, as President Didier Depond took the unusual and dramatic decision to bottle the entire 2008 harvest in magnum only, which is a huge decrease over the typical production (when Salon is made) of closer to 60,000 bottles. In the glass, the 2008 is simply extraordinary. Soft and silky, with breathtaking finesse, the 2008 dazzles with a stunning interplay of bright Chardonnay fruit, soaring perfume and crystalline precision. A kaleidoscope of aromas, flavors and textures captivates all the senses. The 2008 remains young and austere, but like so many wines in this great vintage, Salon has an extra dimension of textural depth that keeps it from being austere. It is quite simply one of the most magnificent Champagnes I have ever tasted. The 8,000 magnums will be sold in a special wooden case with 2 bottles each of 2007, 2006 and 2004. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: January, 2019. Antonio Galloni - (Jul 2019)

Disgorged in January 2019 with six grams per liter dosage, Salon's 2008 Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil is a striking wine, unwinding in the glass with scents of citrus oil, fresh bread, crisp green apple, white flowers, smoke and oyster shell. Full-bodied, layered and incisive, it's deep and concentrated, with a tightly coiled core of fruit that's underpinned by a racy spine of acidity. Seamless and unerringly precise, it concludes with a long and penetratingly mineral finish. Immense though its potential for aging is, its intensity and balance make it pleasurable as well as persuasive, even today. Given the eye-watering price of this magnum-only release, I was determined to hold the wine to the highest possible standards, but it surpasses even the prodigious 1996 and surely ranks as the finest Salon since at least the 1970s. In short, this is a Blanc de Blancs that admits no argument. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

8,000 magnums only released instead of the usual 50,000 bottles. Disgorgement: January 2019. Dosage: 5 g / l. A mild winter followed by a rainy spring. Then came a long spell of fine weather allowing grapes to ripen slowly, bringing singular quality to the raw material. After an initial floral-scented, fruit-driven nose, fresh menthol notes invade the glass. Remarkable power and generosity on the palate, and yet the mouthfeel is crystalline and perfectly balanced. A compelling mix of complexity and elegance. The finish is long and pure. Has the potential to stay the distance for 50 years. YC - Decanter.com 

Salon 2007
WE 99 / AG 97 / RP 96 / WS 94
The bubbles are fine, quick : the very essence of Salon 2007 in all its dynamic luminous energy. In the glass, aromas form a moving backdrop, fresh and bright as sunrise : lemon, lime, yuzu, then green apple, a hint of smoked tea and fresh herbs on wet stone. The palate is focused on backbone and purity : this is the terroir of Le Mesnil taking centre stage, displaying its unique rigour and stony imprint.

Salon 2006
VM 97 / DE 95 / WS 95
First of all, just wait. Once Salon 2006 has been uncorked, leave it a little while, to breathe, to open out. Then, just look at it: its shimmering golden colour, glinting silver and green. The never-ending bubbles, so tiny, setting free the familiar betwitching scents of Salon in its first flush. Notes of white flowers, citrus zest, lightly toasted brioche. Then the glass fills magically with autumnal tones, fresh hazelnuts, praline, dried apricot, ripe yellow fruits. A romantic of the highest order, Salon 2006 embodies the carefree spirit of youth, tempered by experience. And there lies its true enigma and charm. To know restraint but be generous, to combine lightness with solidity.

Salon 2004
JS 98 / AG 97+ /WS 94
Clean and lively on the attack, the wine’s intense freshness and minerality deliver on its aromatic promise – an impressive nose with notes of minerals, gunflint, stones, smoked tea, just a touch of mint. Taut and edgy in the mouth, the wine is all purity and fine acidity. The wine becomes rounder as it airs in the glass, revealing a beautiful vinosity, the curve counter-balancing its acidity to perfection. And on the finish, the merest hint of bitterness, the signature of so many truly great wines.