Champagne Salon Cuvée “S” Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut 1999

Winery Background and History: Champagne Salon is an exclusive Champagne house founded in 1905 by Eugène-Aimé Salon. He pioneered the concept of a single-vintage, single-cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne made entirely from Chardonnay grown in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The first commercial vintage was 1921, and throughout the 20th century only 37 vintages were declared, each produced only in exceptional years. Salon’s philosophy emphasizes quality over quantity: in off-years, no Salon is made. The house remained family-run and independent until joining the Laurent-Perrier group in 1989 alongside its sister house Delamotte. Today Salon enjoys cult status among Champagne connoisseurs for its rarity and longevity.

Producer and Wine Maker: Champagne Salon is produced by the House of Salon, now managed under the umbrella of Salon-Delamotte within the Laurent-Perrier group. The current President of Champagne Salon (since 1997) is Didier Depond, who acts as the chief steward of Salon’s style and legacy. He works closely with Laurent-Perrier’s Cellar Master, Michel Fauconnet, who oversees winemaking and production. Together, they uphold Salon’s strict standards – only declaring vintages in truly outstanding years and crafting the wine with meticulous care. The team’s goal is to honor the founder’s vision by producing a Champagne of singular purity, elegance, and longevity.

Vineyards and Micro Climate: All the grapes for Salon come from the commune of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in Champagne’s Côte des Blancs. This area’s microclimate and terroir are ideal for Chardonnay. The vineyards are classified Grand Cru and feature chalky, limestone-rich soils that impart intense minerality and help retain acidity in the grapes. Salon owns a one-hectare parcel called the “Jardin de Salon” and sources the rest from 19 other top Mesnil vineyards originally selected by the founder. The cool climate with sunny summers in this sub-region allows Chardonnay to ripen slowly, developing finesse and aromatic depth while preserving the freshness essential for long aging potential.

Grape Varietals & Percentage Used: Chardonnay – 100%

Vinification & Aging Methods: Salon’s winemaking is focused on preserving the pure character of Chardonnay. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks (no oak is used), and the wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation, which helps maintain bright acidity. After primary fermentation, the wine is bottled and then aged sur lie (on its yeast lees) in Salon’s cellars for around 10 years before disgorgement. This extended maturation on the lees develops a creamy texture, fine mousse, and complex brioche notes. Dosage is kept very low (approximately 5–6 grams of sugar per liter), resulting in an ultra-brut dryness that highlights the wine’s natural intensity and finesse. (The 1999 vintage, for example, was bottled in 2000 and disgorged in small batches from 2011 onward to ensure optimal freshness upon release.)

ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 12% ABV

Tasting Notes: Salon 1999 has a pale straw-gold color with subtle green hints and a fine stream of tiny bubbles. The nose offers delicate aromas of white blossoms, citrus zest, and fresh almonds, layered with hints of brioche and chalky minerality from the long lees aging. On the palate, it is precise yet generously flavored – a silky, creamy mousse and rich mid-palate balanced by vibrant acidity and intense chalk-driven minerality. Flavors of lemon curd, green apple, and white peach mingle with notes of toasted bread and hazelnut. The finish is exceptionally long and refined, leaving a mouthwatering impression of citrus and saline oyster-shell minerality. Now over two decades old, it shows deep complexity and a gently developed richness (subtle honeyed and toasty notes), yet still retains remarkable freshness and finesse, reflecting both the ripe character of 1999 and Salon’s signature elegance.

Food & Wine Pairing: With its depth and elegance, Champagne Salon 1999 shines alongside refined, luxurious dishes. Classic pairings include premium seafood and rich, umami-laden ingredients. For example, it is superb with caviar (Oscietra or Beluga) and freshly shucked oysters, as the wine’s briny minerality echoes the sea. Delicate fish or shellfish preparations such as scallop carpaccio, lobster in a light cream sauce, or turbot with butter and truffles are elevated by Salon’s citrus freshness and creamy texture. This champagne also complements earthy indulgences like a truffle risotto or roast poultry with morel mushrooms. Aged hard cheeses (such as a 36-month Parmigiano-Reggiano or Comté) and thin slices of Iberico or Parma ham work wonderfully, playing off the wine’s subtle nuttiness and toasty accents. Thanks to its balance of acidity and richness, Salon 1999 can pair throughout an elegant meal or be savored on its own as a decadent aperitif.

Service Methods and Temperatures: Serving a mature prestige Champagne like Salon 1999 requires care to ensure its full character is revealed. Ideally, chill the bottle slowly to around 10–12°C (50–54°F); overly cold temperatures can mute the aromas, so avoid serving it ice-cold. In fact, Salon’s own guidance suggests enjoying this vintage only “barely cold,” allowing it to warm slightly in the glass (toward 13–15°C) to release its complexity. Use an all-purpose white wine glass or a tulip-shaped champagne glass (rather than a narrow flute) to allow the bouquet to fully open. When opening the bottle, do so gently – ease the cork out quietly to preserve the delicate mousse and avoid loss of carbonation. Decanting is not recommended (to prevent dissipating the bubbles); instead, pour each glass and let the wine sit a minute or two to breathe. Serving at the proper temperature in suitable stemware will let Salon 1999 express its layered aromas, creamy texture, and vibrant flavors to the fullest.

Storage and Aging Potential: Champagne Salon is renowned for its longevity, and the 1999 vintage is no exception. Upon release (after a decade of cellar aging), it was still firm and youthful, a sign of its long future. With proper cellaring – i.e. stored on its side in a cool, dark, vibration-free environment – Salon 1999 can continue to develop gracefully for many years. Experts have noted that it began showing its true potential around 2015–2020 and will likely drink beautifully well into the 2030s. Some projections suggest well-preserved bottles could last through 2040 or beyond (one importer even recommended “now until 2050” for 750ml bottles, with magnums lasting even longer). As it ages further, expect the wine to gain even more honeyed, nutty depth (think toasted hazelnut, dried apricot, and beeswax) while still retaining a core of acidity and minerality. In short, Salon 1999 was built to age and reward patience. Collectors holding this champagne can be confident that, under ideal cellar conditions, it will continue to evolve and provide a sublime tasting experience for decades, though it is already exceptional to drink now.

Scores:

• Wine Enthusiast: 96 points

• Wine Spectator: 94 points

• Wine Advocate: 95 points

• Robert Parker: 95 points

• James Suckling: 96 points