Salon, Le Mesnil--Vintage 1990

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CHAMPAGNE SALON Salon is a small champagne house on the Côte de Blancs which was founded by Eugène-Aimé Salon in the early 20th century, and produces what connoisseurs consider to be the finest Blanc de Blancs vintage champagne. Salon is produced in very limited quantity and only in excellent years (an average of about three vintages a decade) from over 40 year old vines in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger which is one of the greatest Grand Crus of the Côte de Blancs. Over the last century only 37 vintages were deemed great enough to produce the iconic champagne. The first recorded vintage was in 1905 with the first commercial vintage in 1921. Salon is made from 100 Chardonnay and has a delicate flavour when young, that develops additional complexity with age with notes of coconut, vanilla and nuts. 1990 Vintage Report An exceptional year, the third largest crop on record, nearly 330 million kilos of grapes producing the equivalent of 288 million bottles (1982 was 295 million, 1983 was 302 million bottles). This despite severe April frosts affecting 45 of the entire region, to some degree. Unsuitable weather during flowering, causing coulure and millerandage, extended the period from late May to early July. However, by mid-July it was apparent that not only were there large numbers of bunches but the grapes were big. Happily the summer was hot and dry, causing an not infrequent phenomenon, a second flowering, making up 60 of the crop which was picked long after the first, early, harvest of Chardonnay (on 11 September and from the 24th for the Pinot Noir). M.B.

Above 3 magnums and 3 bottlesper lot

Details

Salon, Le Mesnil--Vintage 1990
Three bottles with U.S. import slip labels. Three magnums in original wooden case
Tasting Note: Two notes: pale, lively; somewhat idiosyncratic nose, straw and old mushrooms, good though (June 2001). Next, served the first evening prior to Wilf Jaeger's unprecedented rare Burgundy dinner: pale, good colour for age, sauntering bubbles; light, fragrant. Characteristic fresh walnuts bouquet; subtle, perfect yet understated. Elegant. Great finesse. Last tasted in San Francisco, March 2002 ***** M.B.

Above 3 magnums and 3 bottlesper lot

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

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