"Utterly mesmerizing" -Antonio Galloni
Salon Blanc de Blancs 2002
Is there a Champagne that is as ruthlessly focused, as brutally mineral, as shockingly beautiful as Salon?
Salon is a glorious example of just how transparent, of just how utterly compelling Chardonnay can be.
This applies to every single vintage of Salon that we've tasted, but 2002 is a stunning example of this perennially great wine.
 |
The 2002 vintage is surely the most exciting year since the legendary 1996 and is destined to be one of the greats of the past fifty years. One of the clearest hallmarks of '02's greatness is the way it combines ripeness and concentration with harmony, precision and elegance.
There's no debating the fact that the 2002 Salon will be a legend. Galloni's "utterly mesmerizing" sums it up well.
Even among top Champagnes, Salon stands out. It's long been an insider's Champagne loved for its sleek, kinetic minerality, its heartbreaking elegance and its evolution in the cellar. Fans aren't shy about going great lengths to chase the wine down. Salon's production is relatively small and in great vintages it disappears from the market altogether.
We've always liked Peter Liem's comment on Salon: "Salon is the quintessential Le Mesnil champagne, expressing the character of the village with an often breathtaking clarity, purity and elegance. Indeed, I often wonder if we would hold the village in such high esteem today if Salon champagne did not exist."
The 2002 Salon takes the usual incisive mineral purity and then, delivers an unusual amount of force and intensity. It's hard not to be deeply impressed by the wine. Salon is one of our favorite Champagne. For people who share our obsession, this is a don't-miss.
When it comes to aging, Salon can hold its own with the best. A vertical tasting we did at the store showed Salons from the 1970s to still be youthful.
There's no doubt that the 2002 will be one for the ages. This is one of our most anticipated 2002 Champagnes releases. Very happy to offer.
To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media: "The 2002 Salon is utterly mesmerizing. I have tasted the 2002 six or seven times since its release and even during those two months or so the wine has developed quite dramatically, as some of the exuberance that was present at the outset has begun to recede, revealing the wine's intense underlying minerality. The 2002 is a huge, dense wine loaded with fruit. All of the classic Salon citrus, slate and floral notes are present, but it is the wine's superb textural richness that stands out most. Even though I have not followed my own advice, I suggest readers to plan on cellaring the 2002 for a good number of years. Because of its density and depth, I expect the 2002 will develop into a fairly exotic, voluptuous Champagne, within the context of Salon, of course. I also suggest keeping an eye out for the magnums, which are sure to disappear from the market pretty much the minute they arrive."