Salon Champagne: A Singular Masterpiece from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger

Salon is one of the most unique Champagne experiences one can have. All the emphasis in the production of this exceptional wine is on the singular: The product of one single man, Aime Salon – From one single region, the Cote de Blancs – From one single cru, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger – From one single grape variety, Chardonnay – And from one single vintage – NEVER blended.

Rich and delicate, fleshy and rounded, dense and elegant, Salon has a rare ability to check all the boxes for all the palates. If you want to experience the pinnacle of Champagne, we promise you - This is it.

Excellence, heritage, finesse and strict quality standards have driven this Champagne to collector status across the world. These wines are a monument to how riveting, laser-sharp and mineral driven Chardonnay can be. Salon has always been insiders Champagne and the collection below belongs in your cellar.

We have magnums from all the top vintages in the 90's - 1990, 1995 and 1996 - As well as 750's of Salon's latest release, the 2012. There are NO duds on this list, and with the holidays right around the corner, now is the time to go deep on the best Champagne money can buy. 

2012 Salon Le Mesnil -

Back in 2014, Salon's president Didier Depond was quoted in the press as saying that “since 2008, there has been no genuinely great vintage in Champagne" and that a 2012 from Salon wouldn't be released. But the just-released 2012 Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil shows that he had good reason to change his mind, as to my palate this is, after the 2008, the finest Salon produced this millennium. Unwinding in the glass with notes of citrus oil, wet stones, freshly baked bread, white currants and oyster shell, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a tightly wound core of fruit, racy acids and an elegant pinpoint mousse. Concluding with a long and resonant finish, this is a structured and powerful Salon that's a lot more incisive than, for example, the 2002 at the same stage, but which also carries more muscle and substance than a leaner vintage such as 2007. For readers that have balked at the pricing of the magnum-only 2008, the 2012 isn't far off the latter's level in quality, and will presumably be distributed more conventionally. - RP98

1990 Salon Le Mesnil -

Brilliant stuff. Vinous, with a patina of nutty maturity offset by a citrus- and honeysuckle-tinged freshness, all embraced by a taut, silky structure. The best is the finish, a kaleidoscope of biscuit, fig and walnut that goes on and on. - WS97

1995 Salon Le Mesnil -

 The 1995 Salon, disgorged à la volée and naturally sans dosage, is rich, ample and creamy. In this vertical, the 1995 stands out for its broad, ample frame and tropically leaning overtones. So often, Salon is a Champagne of tension and focus. Even without dosage, the 1995 is distinctly more ample than is the norm and yet all the elements come together nicely just the same. - AG95

1996 Salon Le Mesnil -

A warm, even hot, spring with no real change during the summer, conditions that allowed the grapes to gorge themselves on sugar while preserving good acidity. Harvest began on 23 September. Hazelnut, spices, flowers form part of the remarkable aromatic complexity of this Champagne that also has also remarkable depth of character. Perhaps the most impressive Salon of the tasting. On the palate, a sensation of flesh and opulence, but also the telltale precision and erect backbone of racy acidity, and an enthralling finish ending on a refreshing note of salinity. A truly great Salon that leaves one speechless. - DC100