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Salon Le Mesnil Brut Champagne 2013
(Champagne, France) - [VM 99] [TWI 98+] [JD 98] [DM 97] [WA 97] [JS 97] [WS 95]
Regular price $1,500.00 Sale price $1,254.99 Save $245.01
The Wine:
The Vintage:
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Ratings & Reviews
99 Points - Vinous Media:
“The 2013 is the most powerful, dense young Salon I have ever tasted. Champagne of mind-bending complexity, the 2013 possesses tremendous mid-palate intensity and power from the very first taste. Lemon confit, dried flowers, mint and a touch of brioche appear first, followed by light tropical accents that add an exotic flair. Imagine the sizzling energy of the 2008 and the persistence of 2004, with more mid-palate richness and riper fruit. Two-thousand thirteen was a cool, late ripening year. Harvest started at the beginning of October under sunny, dry days and cool nights, conditions that have not been seen since then. Readers will find a spectacular, modern Salon endowed with tremendous depth and very little of the youthful austerity that once defined Champagnes from cooler years here. The 5.5 grams per liter of dosage is perfectly judged. In a word: Magnificent.” - Antonio Galloni (Mar 2023)
98+ Points - The Wine Independent:
"Very light, burnished gold and animated by an extra fine mousse, the 2013 Salon is an exquisite le Mesnil-sur-Oger Blanc de Blancs from a later, and slower ripening vintage. Aged ten years on fine lees and disgorged January 2023 with a six gram per liter dosage, the 2013 brings pure, aromatic luminescence to the glass with notes of warm tarte tatin, crème brulée, citrus confit, lemon sorbet, crushed oyster shells and viburnum blossom. Medium-bodied, the mineral-driven palate is texturally poised and completed by a measured depth of fruit intensity charged with seamless acidity that coats the palate like electric satin. Well-heeled and sophisticated throughout, this 2013 Salon is pure elegance, harmony and finesse. The incredibly long finish lingers in your mind for days, if not longer." - Sarah Mayo (Nov 2023)
98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A vintage that’s not widely recognized following the 2012 vintage, the 2013 Champagne Blanc De Blancs Salon Brut pours a bright yellow/silver hue and opens in the glass to forward notes of chalky earth, ripe tangerine, and white pepper. Ripe on the palate, it is powerful upfront, with a long finish and fresh acidity. It displays a nice balance of creamy texture and mousse, with mouthwatering acidity, and like most vintages of Salon, it’s going to take time. Its texture is salty and crunchy, and the wine is very well-balanced, with a touch of warmth on the finish. Compared to the 2012, it has a slightly more rounded feel and warmth but retains great Mesnil character. Dosage was 5 grams per liter. 60,000 bottles were produced." (Nov 2023)
97 Points - Decanter Magazine:
“The first impression upon release in September 2023 is of surprisingly open, welcoming fragrance for young Salon; orange cream, floral honey and lemon peel, backed up with delicate browned pastry, milky oyster and nut oil complexity that speaks of the long lees ageing. It is taut rather than austere, with a delicate, even level of flesh on its rigid bones as the classic chalky marine squeeze of Le Mesnil takes hold and propels a long, detailed lemon peel finish. This could prove a classic Salon given considerable patience.” - Tom Hewson (Sep 2023)
97 Points - Wine Advocate:
“2013 is a cool, late-ripening vintage in Champagne, defined by an October harvest in cool but sunny conditions. With a dosage of 5.5 grams per liter, the 2013 Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil possesses a complex, fruity bouquet mingling aromas of orchard fruit with notions of lemon oil, exotic fruits, spring flowers, almond and hints of menthol and buttery pastry. Full-bodied, rich and dense, with lively acids, it’s more complex and incisive than the 2002 and exhibits similar power to the 2012 at this early stage. Despite what was a challenging growing season for some producers, this is a superb Salon with a long, resonant finish." - Yohan Castaing (Jun 2023)
97 Points - James Suckling:
“Beautiful and expressive nose of waxed lemons, chamomile, hazelnuts, sourdough, mango stones and hints of orange curd. It's linear and laser-sharp, with an elegant balance of minerality and touches of ripe yellow fruit, all held together by lively acidity and tiny bubbles. Sophisticated. Evolves to a dry chalkiness at the end. Long, textured finish. Disgorged end of 2022. Drink or hold.” (Aug 2023)
95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A graceful Champagne, with pleasing plushness to the finely detailed mousse, revealing a delicate honeyed overtone to the notes of apricot tart, lemon curd, white blossoms and smoked almond. Shows a rich, underlying streak of chalky minerality that emerges to drive the lacy finish. Drink now through 2038.” - Alison Napjus (Nov 2023)
Only the 44th release in its 120-year history, Salon 2013 has arrived like some Greek god, with a chiseled profile and lithe, perfectly sculpted long limbs, primed to conquer our hearts and palates. 2013 is distinctive for its extraordinary stature, which will forever set it apart. On approach, its fine features seem to crystallize; its line and curve coming into focus, drawing us in with its beauty. Ten years of cellaring were required for this Proteus to develop its impressive physique and insolent beauty.
Despite harsh winter weather and an equally cold, long spring, the vineyards did not suffer from frost in 2013. Budburst in April took place under heavy rains that stopped only in early July when the vines were in full bloom. The likelihood of a late September - early October harvest became obvious. The focus remained at that time on the vines and soil; each plot and plant reacted differently and treatment was adopted accordingly. Intense heat reigned throughout the summer, accompanied by spectacular sunshine. But storms raged in some areas with hail salvos wreaking havoc in scattered vineyards. Autumn arrived in full force to complete the grapes’ slow maturity in September, with the first picking starting on 1st October in the Salon plots. Despite the volumes destroyed by bad weather and the strict selection practised at harvest, the magnificent 2013 harvest boasted a yield of 13,000 kg/hectare. The Chardonnays held their own with good alcoholic content and excellent acidity: an extremely promising sign!
Tasting Notes:
In natural light Salon 2013 offers a radiant robe, while golden nuances dance with glints of green in the glass, a reliable indication of a superb Blanc de Blancs. White blossom, linden flowers, jasmine and bergamot zest form its bouquet, laced with the classic minerality of Le Mesnil. The magnitude of the terroir emerges, both subtle and profound. At once rich and long, the palate shows perfect balance, its power contained. The warm character of the vintage is tangible, boasting good structure with elegant rounded aromas of baked apple, toasted hazelnut and salted butter caramel. The chalky, mouth-watering finish buoyed by the evanescent bubbles carries the Salon signature. The wine’s origins have the final say: Le Mesnil is expressed in the forthright, consummate and finely honed character; Salon 2013 unveils an unexpected strength that springs forth.
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Ratings & Reviews
99 Points - Vinous Media:“The 2013 is the most powerful, dense young Salon I have ever tasted. Champagne of mind-bending complexity, the 2013 possesses tremendous mid-palate intensity and power from the very first taste. Lemon confit, dried flowers, mint and a touch of brioche appear first, followed by light tropical accents that add an exotic flair. Imagine the sizzling energy of the 2008 and the persistence of 2004, with more mid-palate richness and riper fruit. Two-thousand thirteen was a cool, late ripening year. Harvest started at the beginning of October under sunny, dry days and cool nights, conditions that have not been seen since then. Readers will find a spectacular, modern Salon endowed with tremendous depth and very little of the youthful austerity that once defined Champagnes from cooler years here. The 5.5 grams per liter of dosage is perfectly judged. In a word: Magnificent.” - Antonio Galloni (Mar 2023)
98+ Points - The Wine Independent:
"Very light, burnished gold and animated by an extra fine mousse, the 2013 Salon is an exquisite le Mesnil-sur-Oger Blanc de Blancs from a later, and slower ripening vintage. Aged ten years on fine lees and disgorged January 2023 with a six gram per liter dosage, the 2013 brings pure, aromatic luminescence to the glass with notes of warm tarte tatin, crème brulée, citrus confit, lemon sorbet, crushed oyster shells and viburnum blossom. Medium-bodied, the mineral-driven palate is texturally poised and completed by a measured depth of fruit intensity charged with seamless acidity that coats the palate like electric satin. Well-heeled and sophisticated throughout, this 2013 Salon is pure elegance, harmony and finesse. The incredibly long finish lingers in your mind for days, if not longer." - Sarah Mayo (Nov 2023)
98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A vintage that’s not widely recognized following the 2012 vintage, the 2013 Champagne Blanc De Blancs Salon Brut pours a bright yellow/silver hue and opens in the glass to forward notes of chalky earth, ripe tangerine, and white pepper. Ripe on the palate, it is powerful upfront, with a long finish and fresh acidity. It displays a nice balance of creamy texture and mousse, with mouthwatering acidity, and like most vintages of Salon, it’s going to take time. Its texture is salty and crunchy, and the wine is very well-balanced, with a touch of warmth on the finish. Compared to the 2012, it has a slightly more rounded feel and warmth but retains great Mesnil character. Dosage was 5 grams per liter. 60,000 bottles were produced." (Nov 2023)
97 Points - Decanter Magazine:
“The first impression upon release in September 2023 is of surprisingly open, welcoming fragrance for young Salon; orange cream, floral honey and lemon peel, backed up with delicate browned pastry, milky oyster and nut oil complexity that speaks of the long lees ageing. It is taut rather than austere, with a delicate, even level of flesh on its rigid bones as the classic chalky marine squeeze of Le Mesnil takes hold and propels a long, detailed lemon peel finish. This could prove a classic Salon given considerable patience.” - Tom Hewson (Sep 2023)
97 Points - Wine Advocate:
“2013 is a cool, late-ripening vintage in Champagne, defined by an October harvest in cool but sunny conditions. With a dosage of 5.5 grams per liter, the 2013 Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil possesses a complex, fruity bouquet mingling aromas of orchard fruit with notions of lemon oil, exotic fruits, spring flowers, almond and hints of menthol and buttery pastry. Full-bodied, rich and dense, with lively acids, it’s more complex and incisive than the 2002 and exhibits similar power to the 2012 at this early stage. Despite what was a challenging growing season for some producers, this is a superb Salon with a long, resonant finish." - Yohan Castaing (Jun 2023)
97 Points - James Suckling:
“Beautiful and expressive nose of waxed lemons, chamomile, hazelnuts, sourdough, mango stones and hints of orange curd. It's linear and laser-sharp, with an elegant balance of minerality and touches of ripe yellow fruit, all held together by lively acidity and tiny bubbles. Sophisticated. Evolves to a dry chalkiness at the end. Long, textured finish. Disgorged end of 2022. Drink or hold.” (Aug 2023)
95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A graceful Champagne, with pleasing plushness to the finely detailed mousse, revealing a delicate honeyed overtone to the notes of apricot tart, lemon curd, white blossoms and smoked almond. Shows a rich, underlying streak of chalky minerality that emerges to drive the lacy finish. Drink now through 2038.” - Alison Napjus (Nov 2023)