1995 Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc De Blancs Brut, Champagne

Salon is one of the most prestigious houses in Champagne. Instead of making a range of styles that includes a prestige cuvée like most Champagne houses, Salon makes a single prestige cuvée, which is made entirely from Chardonnay from the village Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.

The house was founded in 1911 by Aime Salon, who thought that Champagne was dominated by heavy Pinot Noir. He decided to make a top Chardonnay-based wine instead. Now, Salon is made in only the best vintages – in years deemed not good enough, the grapes become a part of Champagne Delamotte instead. The wine comes from a one-hectare parcel owned by Salon and 19 smaller parcels cultivated through agreements with various growers in the Grand Cru-classified Le Mesnil.

Salon is held back in cellar for much longer than other Champagnes – it can spend up to a decade in bottle before it is released onto the market, and can be cellared further.