Champagne Salon Blanc de Blancs Brut 2012
Salon is a unique Champagne. All the emphasis in the production of this exceptional wine is on the singular. It was originally the product of one single man, Aimé Salon; from one single region, the Côte de Blancs; from one single cru, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger; from one single grape variety, Chardonnay; and from one single vintage, with no blending whatsoever. Created in 1911 with its first vintage in 1905, Champagne Salon is the creation of Aimé Salon, a champagne connoisseur enchanted then seduced by the terroir of Le Mesnil. Headed by Salon until his death in 1943, the house was then left to his nephew. In 1988, Champagne Laurent-Perrier, a family-owned company, became the majority shareholder of Champagne Salon. Today, the house of Salon, along with its ancient neighbor and sister, Champagne Delamotte (the 5th oldest Champagne house, founded in 1760) are directed by one man, Didier Depond. At each step of the production of Salon, a conscientious effort is made to be the best, the most beautiful and the rarest, thus allowing fervent admirers of Salon to taste a perfectly balanced Champagne, with rich and complex aromas.
THE WINE
Salon honors the memory of its founder, a century on. In the 1910s, Eugène-Aimé Salon had a vision, a dream: to create a Champagne for all time, from a single grape variety, Chardonnay, laid bare in all its subtlety; from a single great terroir, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger; and from a single superlative year, the vintage.
THE VINTAGE
Initially mild-mannered, winter 2012 unleashed its full force in February, with freezing temperatures minus 10, even minus 20C. Then March came in like a lamb. Tender buds were beginning to emerge, only for April to bring heavy rains with clear, and therefore glacial, nights. During flowering, a cold snap did not help matters, without even so much as a ray of sunshine in the offing. The vines looked pitiful. And then more rain, right up until July. Too much rain. The vines did not take it kindly. August arrived, at last, the hottest month in the calendar, but the first few days were rather too hot: a heatwave! The vines had been through it all: too wet, then too dry, a lack of grapes; what would the harvest bring? It began in Le Mesnil on 17th September. Mother Nature likes to play tricks. Over in the vats, a miracle was taking place, a grand vin was emerging, with the hint of a smile – ‘gotcha!’ The vintage had everything all along: sugars, fine acidity, magnificent potential... the only thing left to do now, was waiting. And see the vignerons smile once more.
VARIETALS 100% Chardonnay
SERVING
Taste it and drink it just cool, between 13 and 15°C (55-59°F).
TASTING NOTES
The desire for perfection created in the infinite facets of a yellow diamond, the exquisite surprise of a tasting that takes your breath away: the pale gold of a wine held up to the light, the subtle glint of green heralding minerals, stone, chalk – so symbolic of Salon – together with wafts of fruit, dried roses in abundance, never-ending flavors that go on and on. Its freshness and slender form, precise, aristocratic acidity promising decades of glorious aging ahead, founded upon an impeccable structure. Allowed to breathe momentarily, Salon 2012 unleashes its seductive powers on the palate, with notes of pineapple, lychee, a touch of smoke; caressing with a knowing smile as beguiling and mysterious as the Mona Lisa, Salon does not reveal every secret. An alliance of glorious opponents: all is fair in love and war for the love of Salon 2012. For those in the know, the connoisseurs of today and tomorrow. Savor the flash of a smile, like a flame as it catches fire.
FOOD PAIRING
Extreme purity marries well with crisp minerality. Look to the sea for various pairings: imagine tartar of langoustines, scallops marinated in kombu, or Daurenki imperial caviar. Or how about a miso-glazed turbot, roasted then served with hollandaise sauce? Alternatively, consider the delicacies of the land, such as veal from the Corrèze with white asparagus and morels. These are just a few suggestions to inspire and delight while we dream of Salon 2012.
AGING POTENTIAL Over 15 years.
Certified Sustainable (Haute valeur environnementale (OCACIA)
