Côte Des Blancs, Champagne
Salon
'S' Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut Chardonnay 2015
Very fresh, clean, the softest mousse on the planet. Beautiful citrus, most delicate of minerals, gentle spice, grand acidity, focused precision and balance for days. Excellent. Just overtly expensive. — 25 days ago
Krug
Clos du Mesnil Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 2004
Medium lemon straw , slight deeper than the P2 1998 served alongside . More persistent perlage than the P2, very fine . Here the nose is slightly deeper and more penetrating, with rich spiced citrus , buttered brioche , crushed chalk , seashell hints . This is powerful and dense on the palate , lemon , mineral , and chalky hints , fresh and vital, white flowers , even a touch of Indian spice. Long and balanced , still pretty youthful and probably needs more time to fully integrate the shear extract this has on the palate. Perfectly formed , with a fantastic future , better in 5 -8 years and will last a further decade. The complete package, spellbinding. — 12 days ago
Ruinart
Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne Chardonnay
Been a minute since I’ve had Ruinart. Especially, a Blanc de blanc. From 375ml.
The mouthfeel, rich with soft mousse. Slightly bruised golden apple, touch of apple cider, yellow pear, ripe-juicy yellow peach, juicy pineapple, tropical melons, green caramel apple, brioche-baguette crust, frothy cream, soft, white spice, vanilla-vanillin, saline-sea spray, dry, volcanic minerals, dry limestone marl, crumbled-dry chalk, yellow flowers framed in white, spring flowers in greens, pleasant, soft acidity and well balanced, mid toned/structured, elegant finish that lasts nearly a minute and long sets on beautiful minerality. 91+
The top left cave picture tells you why no other region can replicate that kind/much chalkiness in wine. The roots swim it. For me, there is no real substitute. — 18 days ago
Taittinger
Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Brut Blanc de Blancs 2006
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2006 Comtes de Champagne pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of white peach, lemon curd, white flowers, lightly toasted brioche with chalk and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and creamy. This is delicious and fabulously balanced CdC. Drink now through 2036. — 10 days ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Had the 15 Salon two-weeks ago. After, I had this cuvée and their 2018 Delamotte. Not really a fair order. So tonight, thought I’d give it one. Been awhile since I enjoyed this cuvée.
In the rare case, Salon does not declare a vintage, this is where that fruit goes. So…when & if, buy this n/v.
Nice mousse, crispy, racy acidity. Lime pulp with zest, lemon pulp, green/golden apple, white stone fruit, some yellow peach, kiwi, tropicals, frothy, steamed whole milk, caramel, vanillin to vanillin, excellent white spice, palate penetrating volcanic minerals, limestone marl, brilliant chalky powder with bits, some yeastiness, baguette crust, brioche, toffee & butterscotch notes, almost a sweetish herbaceous quality, daffodils, white flowers set in greens with a nicely rounded, knitted, balanced, spot on tension and a 90 second, elegant finish that long sets on spice & volcanic. — 11 days ago