One grape, one vineyard site and one vintage, made only in exceptional years. These are the pillars that have kept Salon at the top of its game since the founder Aimé Salon first created ‘the wine of his dreams’ back in 1905.
Salon is the champagne known as the insider’s choice by wine aficionados, wine trade and press alike. Made in tiny quantities and only in exceptional vintage years when the climatic conditions are just right, each bottle undergoes at least a decade of aging before release so that it presents itself in its best, harmonious light from the first opening.
Salon is not a bling champagne with style over substance; it is arguably the finest expression of a traditional method chardonnay that you might ever find. It’s certainly the most iconic, being the first ‘blanc de blancs’ champagne, i.e., made with 100% chardonnay. This is thanks in part to its exceptional chalk terroir in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, which gives the chardonnay grapes here such power, poise and longevity.
The inimitable brand only makes one wine, this ‘cuvée S’, from 19 hectares of vineyard land in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, located in the famed Côtes des Blancs. It’s little wonder members of the wine press are eager to wake early and travel from afar to taste the new vintage while most people are still having breakfast.
Salon 2012
The 2012 vintage of Salon is the 43rd to be released since 1905 and the first to be released since the 2008 vintage, which was so small, it was released entirely in 8,000 magnums. 2012 is being hailed in Champagne as one of the great vintages of all time, up there with 2002, 1996, 1990 and 1959. An uncertain year at first as hail, frost and rain slashed the grape yields, the warmth and sunshine of the 2012 summer eventually came through just as it was needed, enticing the remaining grapes with warm days and cool nights to become their best selves.
One of the more generous vintages on release, the 2012 is known as ‘le sourire’ (the smile). The first vintage in four years and released after Covid, it was finally time for a great new vintage to shine and bring that smile back to the faces of all who taste it. More opulent than previous vintages with notes of lemon cream, dried apricot, subtle hazelnut and the lightest note of toasted brioche, the 2012 is deep, complex and textural yet fresh with a signature crisp minerality. It still showcases the razorlike acidity and super fine bubbles that Salon is famous for in a way that remarkably, means it is both ready to drink now and yet will age well until beyond 2070.
What to eat with Salon 2012?
The purity and depth of flavour Salon 2012 offers make it the perfect wine for fish and seafood dishes. Try it with langoustine, scallops, or even meaty white fish in hollandaise sauce. The team even recommend morels, asparagus and veal. It is indeed an exceptionally versatile, exceptional vintage.
Where to find it?
Salon 2012 is available from Corney & Barrow for £1,450/case of three bottles, in bond, UK.
Address: Contact Corney & Barrow, 1 Thomas More Street, London, E1W 1YZ
Email: sales@corneyandbarrow.com
Website: corneyandbarrow.com/our-producers/champagne-salon
