*SOLD OUT IN GA*
SALON BLANC DE BLANCS LE MESNIL
CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE 2013
Why Buy: A 99-point score from Vinous and a declaration of “magnificent” doesn't even begin to capture the profound rarity and sheer pleasure of this utterly unforgettable Champagne. Consider this: in 120 years of production, this legendary house has deemed only 44 vintages (and this is one of them) worthy of the Salon name. That's not a typo – that's utmost devotion to an ideal of perfection that borders on the obsessive. This pure Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger's finest parcels – aged a full decade on the lees before disgorgement – represents everything that's made this producer mythic.
What They're Saying: Antonio Galloni's 99-point review captures the magnitude of this achievement: "Champagne of mind-bending complexity ... Imagine the sizzling energy of the 2008 and the persistence of 2004, with more mid-palate richness and riper fruit... In a word: magnificent."
Our Tasting Notes: This is Salon at its profound best. The wine emerges with an almost electric presence, showing that astonishing backdrop of savory minerals that's become this house's calling card. Notes of tarte tatin and crème brûlée do a deft and graceful minuet with confited citrus and crushed oyster shells, but what captivates most is that sensation of chalk in the mouth – building slowly, gradually, ultimately all-enveloping. The aging potential here seems limitless.
The Method: Salon's approach defines obsession. Their grapes come from the same plots Eugène-Aimé selected over a century ago: a one-hectare parcel known as "the Salon garden" and nineteen other small plots in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, where the most profound expression of Chardonnay's delicate freshness comes to the fore. Each vintage spends an average of ten years aging in their cellars – patience that allows the wine's complexity and finesse to fully emerge. In years deemed not worthy of the Salon name, the grapes are directed to Champagne Delamotte instead. This uncompromising selectivity explains why the 20th century saw just 37 vintages declared.
The Story: In the 1910s, Eugène-Aimé Salon saw something that others missed. While Champagne was dominated by heavy Pinot Noir-based wines, he envisioned something revolutionary: the ultimate Champagne from a single grape (Chardonnay), a single great terroir (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger), and only the most exceptional vintages. This was more than groundbreaking – it was heretical. No Champagne house had dared market a single-variety wine before World War I. The wine's early champions included Maxim's, the world's most famous nightclub, where it became the house pour during the Roaring Twenties. F. Scott Fitzgerald was so taken with the place (and presumably its Champagne) that he worked it into his stories. Later devotees would include Maria Callas, Brigitte Bardot, Clint Eastwood, Diana Ross, and other luminaries of 20th-century culture.
Fun Fact: The name Le Mesnil resonates in a special way with lovers of great wine. This grand cru village in the heart of the Côte des Blancs is considered the king of Champagne vineyards, where magnanimous nature offers wines of absolute purity.
Our Guarantee: As always, we source directly from the producer to ensure perfect provenance. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2025. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer only valid in CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL. LA, MN, TX & WI. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025.