New Release. Price £1,750.00 + FREE Mainland UK Delivery. Introduction: The legacy and achievement of one man, the idiosyncratic Eugène-Aimé Salon, this is a wine forged in singularity. The fruit of a single grape: chardonnay; a single terroir: the Côte des Blancs; a single grand cru village: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. And of course, a single vintage, declared only when certain, exacting conditions – those prescribed by Eugène-Aimé himself – are met. Produced in minuscule quantities with meticulous care, Salon is as rare as it is refined. The ultimate insider’s champagne, Salon stands alone. The 2007 vintage is the 41st Salon to be released from this tiny champagne house in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Blanc de blancs in its purest form, the wine bears all the hallmarks of a classic Salon – the unmistakeable bone structure, the delicate-decadent fragrance, the elegance belying power beneath. The 2007 also marks the last vintage for some time to be released in the 75cl bottle format. As a result, quantities are necessarily limited. The Wine: Salon is defined by its absolute singularity : a single varietal, chardonnay ; a single terroir, the Côte des Blancs ; a single cru, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, a single year, that of its vintage. Every vintage – for not all years can be a vintage, only the greatest years – is different from any other. Every Salon year incarnates a perfect dream, respecting nature and the earth. Elever un vin – that peculiarly French concept of ‘bringing up’ a wine, is in fact an extreme form of educational refinement, one that respects and honours the distinct personality and characteristics of each one. And the task of steering the wine towards its ultimate potential falls to the men and women of Salon. Glowing like some perfectly brought-up young angel, Salon 2007 gives us a glimpse of its future grace, gleaming with light and beauty. The Vintage: After a mild winter, April was magnificent, and flowering was perfect. June and July brought long days of bright sunshine, the light reverberating on the chalky soil and providing vital residual warmth for the subsequent chilly August. With nature still on-side, the sensible decision would have been to harvest then and there, but then second thoughts….patience! Out came the sun, that great game-changer, charging everything with light and energy. As an uncertain season reached full term, the vines yielded a crop of perfectly ripe grapes, and in decent quantities too. The resulting musts were rich yet not excessive in sugar, with fine acidity to balance. Now for time to work its magic. VARIETALS Chardonnay 100% SERVING Taste it and drink it just cool, between 13 and 15 degrees. Tasting Notes: Salon 2007 is immediately appealing with its pale shades ; cool blonde tones glistening with lemon and green. The bubbles are fine, quick : the very essence of Salon 2007 in all its dynamic luminous energy. In the glass, aromas form a moving backdrop, fresh and bright as sunrise : lemon, lime, yuzu, then green apple, a hint of smoked tea and fresh herbs on wet stone. The palate is focused on backbone and purity : this is the terroir of Le Mesnil taking centre stage, displaying its unique rigour and stony imprint. An electric sensation, sending shiver upon shiver down the spine. Salon 2007 will shine on, preserved in the darkness of its cellars, asking only to be brought into the light, a shimmering aurora borealis. Food And Wine Pairings: The seas and deep oceans are a veritable treasure trove of delights to match with radiant Salon 2007. The oyster, in all its forms – fresh, in a gratin, as a foam…. Langoustines in tempura, a seabass tartare or ceviche. Scallops, the ultimate treat, pan-fried in a second. On the richer side, a 24-month aged comte or a truffled brie would make a colourful grande finale to any fireworks featuring Salon 2007. Ageing Potential: Over 15 years Reviews: The superb 2007 Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil wafts from the glass with a beautiful bouquet of crushed chalk, lemon oil, crisp green apple, white flowers and brioche. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, taut and incisive, with bright acids, a tight-knit core and a brisk mousse, concluding with a long, chalky and bone-dry finish. After the comparatively broad and fleshy 2002, 2004 and 2006 vintages, the 2007 Salon seems to mark a return to a racier, more precise style-though admittedly that’s in keeping with the style of the vintage-that makes me anticipate the release of the 2008 all the more eagerly. 96/100 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, 07/05/2019 Such an impressive wine for the detail in every respect. The nose delivers fresh lemon and grapefruit peel, together with white, stony minerals and very, very fresh and light pastry notes. Some grilled hazelnuts, too. The palate is super fine, supple and crisp with attractive, dry, salty minerals on the finish that holds super long, fine and focused. Elegant citrus and light brioche to close. Drink or hol. For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.