2002 Champagne, Salon, Blanc de Blancs
About Producer
Eugène-Aimé Salon was born in 1867 in Pocancy, a tiny village at 10km west of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. As a boy he loved to watch the growers making champagne and after a successful business life, he dreamed of a champagne of incomparable finesse, a wine for him alone that would stand apart. He eventually picked a 1ha plot called ‘Le Jardin Salon’ and 19 other small plots in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger where he would make an unblended champagne for his own personal consumption. In 1905, he created the Blanc de Blancs, as he called it. The enthusiastic reception from his friends and business clients pushed him to the creation of the house of Champagne Salon in 1920. Since 1988, Salon is owned by Laurent-Perrier Group.
Varietals
Chardonnay. Salon is only released in vintages deemed to be worthy of the wine’s reputation, and 2002 is just the 38th vintage since its creation in 1905. Production is 62,000 bottles. Dosage is 5g/L. Aged for an average of 10 years on its lees.
About Appellation
One of the first mentions of vines in the region was made by Saint Remigius, the Bishop of Reims who baptised the King of the Franks Clovis I in 496, who listed in his testament a vineyard in the suburb of Reims. Much has been written about the key roles of Dom Pierre Pérignon (1638-1715), a Benedictine monk at Hautvilliers Abbey, and Frère Jean Oudart (1654-1742), from Saint-Pierre-aux-Monts Abbey in Pierry, in the development of Champagne as we know today. In 1690, 'Champagne Wines' were first mentioned to designate sparkling wines of the region, and it was also the first time in France that a wine was identified as produce from a specific region. Today, the vineyards covers 34,300ha in four sub-regions, Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs and Côte des Bar. Within the three first sub-regions, there are 17 Grand Cru communes. While the main grape varieties are pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, four other varietals are also used in some blends, arbane, petit meslier, pinot blanc and pinot gris (known locally as fromenteau).
Tasting Notes
Enthralling nose of orchard fruits, citrus, lemon peel, warm brioche and white flowers, dense mouthfeel with creamy texture, broad structure and tremendous depth, multilayered flavours of green apple, quince, nectarine, candied lemon, honey, ginger and marzipan liberally laced with chalky mineral undertones, crisp acidity and refined bubbles leading onto a stunningly long, persistent finish. Having repeatedly tasted this wine over the years, I always swoon over its alluring charm, exceptional balance and captivating complexity. At 21 years old, it’s incredibly youthful with a sensational display of majestic poise and superb clarity. Cloaking its multidimensional drive in ethereal finesse, it’s intense, powerful and brimming with vivacious energy. The racy lift and mouthwatering freshness cruising in lockstep towards the finale make it one of the most dazzling expression of chardonnay. (10/2023)