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Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2004

Per Bottle
£1,695.00

Factsheet

Receive as early as 03/10/2020

Description & Technical Information

Champagne's first, finest and rarest Blanc de Blancs, Salon is the legacy of one man who devoted his life to creating the perfect pure-Chardonnay champagne. Produced from grapes grown on the deep chalk soils of Le Mesnil, still one of Champagne’s only Grand Cru villages, the apparent simplicity of this formula belies the challenges inherent in creating a wine of Salon’s complexity. Made on average only three times per decade, Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2004 is only the thirty-ninth vintage of Salon in history. Just 42,000 bottles of Salon were produced in 2004.

Weather: The 2004 vintage saw an initial winter of mild temperatures with intermittent storms and hail. The spring and summer months were hot and sunny and the sugar levels late in September produced good quality fruits, especially for the Pinot Noir grapes. A rare decision was taken by the Salon team in 2004 to carry out a ‘vendage vert’ (green harvest) to thin the crop. A huge harvest in general for the region. Overall many experts believe that 2004 is one of the greatest vintages of the last two decades.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Ageing: 10 years on the lees
Dosage: 7 g/l
Drink: Now to 2035

Tasting Note: On the nose hints of jasmine and freshness, this continues on the palate with plenty of fruits and pear. Brioche combines with a creamy mousse leading to a lengthy finish. A vintage that is drinking well already but with a great capacity to age and improve.

Champagne Salon Overview

Expert Reviews

18/5/20

Jancis Robinson MW

“Disgorged (Edition) 2019. Didier Depond: ‘It’s best to start drinking Salon at 15 years old’.
Very direct, intense nose. Super-pure, straight up the nose and a rather drier, less juicy impression than the 2006 or 2007. Racy and pure. Punchy with an explosive finish.”

97/100

Antonio Galloni

“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.”

97+/100

Antonio Galloni

“The 2004 Salon has been superb each time I have tasted it over the last year or so. Bright, tense and crystalline, with all of the energy that is typical of both Salon and the vintage in the Côte des Blancs, the 2004 bristles with superb precision and cool, pulsating minerality. The 2004 spent a dozen years on its lees. Over the last six months or so, it has gradually begun to open up, but it is very much a wine for the cellar. Two thousand four is remembered as a vintage with record high yields. Salon (and Delamotte) did a terrific job in keeping the vines well balanced. Production was just 46,000 bottles, as opposed to the 60,000 or so that is more typical. Chef de Caves Michel Fauconnet opted for a low dosage of just 4 grams per liter. This is a tremendous showing.”

18/20

Julia Harding MW

“Just released. Twinkly-eyed Didier Depond, president of Champagne Salon and in his 20th year at the company, explains that the heatwave conditions of 2003 had a significant influence on 2004: low ground water meant warmer soils, promoting growth and minimising disease. Abundant fruit set so that they took the unusual step of carrying out a green harvest. A cool August prolonged the ripening season, then September was fine for the harvest. As always, 100% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, aged at least 10 years on the lees. Disgorged autumn 2015 with a dosage of 5-6 g/l. Incidentally, importers Corney & Barrow suggest drink dates from now to 2050+, and tasting the older wines in this line-up, I can see it will continue a lot longer than I have suggested but it does turn into a very different drink.
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)”

92 → 96/100

Essi Avellan MW

“Anyone following champagne knows the infamously large size of the year’s crop. But Salon 2004 echoes none of the year’s viticultural problems. A classically restrained salty nose with bright fruity expression oozing lemon curd and kumquat. Vibrantly dancing palate with long stoney mineral palate with emerging buttery generosity. Enjoy a bottle but forget the rest of the case in the cellar for at least a decade.”

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News Articles

Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2008

September 29, 2019
Not many champagnes are as eagerly anticipated as Salon 2008. Produced only in magnums (just 8,000 were made) and exclusively available as part of a specially designed wooden case, the ultimate rarity just got rarer. We met president Didier Depond in June to find out more.
Single Vineyard Champagne: Fad or Future?

January 19, 2019
Since the early 21st century, a quiet revolution has been occurring in Champagne, and the ever-burgeoning demand for artisanal, hand-crafted cuvées continues to flourish. What are the origins of single vineyard champagnes, why are they so popular, and are they a fad or the future?
Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2006

August 1, 2017
Last month, the tiny yet ultra-prestigious Champagne Salon released their latest vintage: Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2006. Just the 40th release since its inception in 1905, this is another seriously rare cuvée with outstanding ageing potential. Read tasting notes and more info here.
Vintage Overviews
Grand & Premier Crus Explained