Salon - Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Le Mesnil 2013
Price: $1199.00
| Producer | Salon |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Varietal | Champagne Blend |
| Vintage | 2013 |
| Sku | 603682 |
| Size | 750ml |
Antonio Galloni: 99 Points
The 2013 Salon is a huge wine. Dense and explosive, the 2013 possesses almost shocking textural richness for a young Salon. If offers a perfect example of the vintage in the Côtes des Blancs, a year in which ripeness and acids were both elevated. Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers, mint and white pepper explode onto the palate. Bright saline notes pull it all back together on the finish.
Jeb Dunnuck: 99 Points
A very special vintage for this wine, the 2013 Champagne Salon pours a pale yellow/green-tinged color and has a very pretty nose revealing round, pure notes of citrus blossom, a hint of almond pastry, fresh lemon meringue, and pure pear. But while the nose is expressive, the palate is still coiled and intense, with a pure, driving, chalky texture, power, and length, as well as a great deal of electricity that carries through the palate, with a pinpoint, focused mousse. This is going to be a great wine for collectors and for aging over the coming decades. This wine is singing. Comparing it with the Salon 82 and Salon 83 will be one of the great arguments over the years. 5 grams per liter dosage. (AF)
Vinous Media: 99 Points
The 2013 Salon is a huge wine. Dense and explosive, the 2013 possesses almost shocking textural richness for a young Salon. If offers a perfect example of the vintage in the Côtes des Blancs, a year in which ripeness and acids were both elevated. Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers, mint and white pepper explode onto the palate. Bright saline notes pull it all back together on the finish.
Burghound: 98 Points
The brilliant nose, at once fresh, bright and complex, is even more beguiling than that of the 2012, which is already reference standard for anyone who loves blanc de blancs Champagne. Moreover, it is more expressive than I anticipated with its array of green apple, baked bread, just sliced citrus, quinine and a hint of Chablis-like iodine. The racy yet delicate mouthfeel of the lilting middle weight flavors that is enhanced by the super-fine, if decidedly firm, mousse before terminating in an already complex, harmonious and very dry yet not especially austere finale that goes on and on. Among many attributes to choose from, perhaps my favorite is the underlying sense of poise the '13 Salon exudes as it's classy as hell but not inaccessible; otherwise expressed, this is seriously good but borderline gulpable. In short, I was knocked out by this monument in the making and it's entirely possible that my rating will one day be found to be overly conservative. As longtime readers know, Burghound doesn't hand out point ratings like they're candy.
James Suckling: 97 Points
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.
Wine Advocate: 97 Points
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. (YC)
