Salon Champagne Blanc De Blancs Le Mesnil 1996 750ml

Name: Salon Champagne Blanc De Blancs Le Mesnil 1996 750ml
Brand: Salon
SKU: 901434
Price: 1674.06 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 99 (7 reviews)

size

750ml

country

France

region

Champagne

7 Ratings

See 6 Professional Reviews

WNR

Additional vintages

2013 2012 2008 2007 2006 2004 2002 1999 1997 1996 1995 1990 1988 1985

Rated 99 by Wine Advocate

This bottle of the 1996 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut was drinking superbly and represents the apotheosis of Blanc de Blancs, unfurling over the course of three hours with a stunningly complex bouquet of citrus oil, confit lemon, dried white flowers and oyster shell, with hints of praline and pastry cream becoming more pronounced as the wine opens up in the glass. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, defined by the incisive spine so typical of the vintage that, here, is cloaked in layers of crisp fleshy and chalky extract. The finish is long, penetrating and saline. Unfortunately, since the 1996 Salon has been traded so zealously over the last decade, finding a bottle that hasn't travelled too far can be a challenge. But from a perfectly stored bottle, this is just the beginning. ... More details

Salon Champagne Blanc De Blancs Le Mesnil 1996 750ml

Rated 99 by Wine Advocate

WNR

Rated 99 by Winery

Rated 99 - Maturing into a medium golden color, the 1996 Salon reveals open-knit, alluring scents of butterscotch, dried apricots, pineapple upside-down cake, and preserved lemons, plus wafts of sea spray and praline. The light to medium-bodied palate delivers Salon’s classic razor-fine backbone of acidity with rich, evolved caramelized tropical fruit layers while the bubbles remain exquisitely tiny and persistent. It gives a very long, mineral-tinged finish. - The Wine Independent

Rated 98 by Vinous Media

The 1996 Salon is just beginning to enter the early part of its plateau of maturity. Time in bottle has softened some of the razor-sharp focus the 1996 had when it was first released, but all of the energy it had as a young Champagne remains. A host of candied lemon, almonds and wild flowers punctuate the sculpted, persistent finish. Readers who own the 1996 can look forward to another two decades or more of exceptional drinking. This is the ultimate expression of Champagne as wine.

Rated 98 by James Suckling

Incredible freshness and tightness with fantastic acidity and minerality. Full-bodied, compacted and intense. Flinty! Then light yeast and bread dough. Superb. In suspended animation!

Rated 97 by Wine Enthusiast

The latest release from Salon, this just explodes in the mouth with mineral, steel and flint. The tiny mousse has flavors of yeast and just a touch of toast. It is rich, but so austere and structured. Like many Salon Champagnes, this will age for 20 years or more.

Rated 97 by Burghound

While many of the best '96s do remain impressively youthful, this seems to be stuck in a time capsule that brooks no change, at least not willingly! The ultra-elegant nose is clearly still developing and while there are background traces of apple, yeast and floral undertones in evidence, it is the citrus elements that presently dominate. The incredible refinement doesn't stop with the nose however as the detailed and vibrant flavors are firm yet delicate with fine shadings of citrus, yeast and something vaguely akin to minerality that continues onto the pure, harmonious and driving finish that is bone dry but not austere. It's hard to predict exactly when this might be at its best, though my sense is 5 to 7 years hence. Tasted twice recently with consistent results.

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

A deep, vinous style, with understated power and grace. The lemon verbena, toast and honey aromas and flavors are propelled by the well-integrated structure and fine bubbles. There's just a hint of greenness, marking its youthful impetuosity. Has great length. Best from 2010 through 2030. 600 cases imported. (Collectible)

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Salon Champagne Blanc De Blancs Le Mesnil 1996 750ml

SKU 901434

Case Only Purchase

Long-term Pre-Arrival

$10044.36

/case

$1674.06

/750ml bottle

Quantity

min order 6 bottles

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Professional Ratings

WNR

Rated 99 by Wine Advocate

WNR

Rated 99 by Winery

Rated 98 by Vinous Media

Rated 98 by James Suckling

Incredible freshness and tightness with fantastic acidity and minerality. Full-bodied, compacted and intense. Flinty! Then light yeast and bread dough. Superb. In suspended animation!

Rated 97 by Wine Enthusiast

Rated 97 by Burghound

Rated 95 by Wine Spectator

Product Details

size

750ml

country

France

region

Champagne

Additional vintages

2013 2012 2008 2007 2006 2004 2002 1999 1997 1996 1995 1990 1988 1985

Overview

Varietal: Champagne Blend

Whilst Champagne sparkling wines are most commonly made with a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grape varietals, there are actually seven fine grape varietals allowed by French wine law for inclusion in the wines of this region. These include Arbanne, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and and Petit Meslier alongside the others, although these four are being used less and less in the modern age. Champagnes are normally blended wines, although the popularity of single variety 'blanc de blanc' Champagnes made solely with Chardonnay grapes, and 'blanc de noir' wines made only with Pinot Noir varietal grapes are becoming more and more popular. The blending process found in most Champagnes aims to take the finest points of each grape varietal and bring them together to produce spectacular, strong yet balanced results in the bottle.

Region: Champagne

The region of Champagne in the north-easterly part of France has, for hundreds of years, been known for the production of high quality, elegant and characterful sparkling white wines. Champagne wines continue to dominate the market for sparkling wines, and are the envy of many countries, with plenty of producers attempting to emulate their unique practices. The chalky, mineral-rich soils of this high altitude region are ideal for growing the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Petit Meunier varietal grapevines which cover the region and are usually blended together in the production of Champagne wine. The climate of Champagne is far cooler than other famous wine regions in France, but the wineries which are found all over the area have generations of expertise, and have no problems in producing vast quantities of their famous produce for the world market.

Country: France

France is renowned across the globe for its quality wines and the careful expertise which goes into making them, but what is truly remarkable about this relatively small country is the vast range of wines it produces in such huge amounts each year. Not only are the finest red wines in the world said to come from the beautiful regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, but elsewhere in the country we find the Champagne region, and areas such as the Rhone Valley and the Loire, whose white wines consistently receive awards and accolades by the plenty. This range is a result of the great variety of climatic conditions and terrain found in France, coupled with generations of wine makers working within single appellations. Their knowledge of specific terroirs and grape varieties has, over time, perfected the production of wines within their region, and the end results continue to impress the world to this day.

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