Champagne Salon Cuvee 'S' Blanc De Blancs 2013

Champagne's finest and rarest Blanc de Blancs, Salon is the legacy of Eugène-Aimé Salon who devoted his life to creating the perfect pure-Chardonnay champagne setting up the Maison in 1911. Salon is always made from Chardonnay grapes grown in a one hectare plot at the back of the Maison, "The Salon Garden" and 19 other plots on the deep chalk soils of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The apparent simplicity of this formula belies the challenges inherent in creating a wine of Salon’s complexity. Made on average only three times per decade, the 2013 vintage is only the 44th release in its 120-year history, Salon 2013 has arrived like some Greek god, with a chiselled profile and lithe, perfectly sculpted long limbs, primed to conquer our hearts and palates. 2013 is distinctive for its extraordinary stature, which will forever set it apart. On approach, its fine features seem to crystallise; its line and curve coming into focus, drawing us in with its beauty. Ten years of cellaring were required for this Proteus to develop its impressive physique and insolent beauty. THE VINTAGE Despite harsh winter weather and an equally cold, long spring, the vineyards did not suffer from frost in 2013. Budburst in April took place under heavy rains that stopped only in early July when the vines were in full bloom. The likelihood of a late September - early October harvest became obvious. The focus remained at that time on the vines and soil; each plot and plant reacted differently and treatment was adopted accordingly. Intense heat reigned throughout the summer, accompanied by spectacular sunshine. But storms raged in some areas with hail salvos wreaking havoc in scattered vineyards. Autumn arrived in full force to complete the grapes’ slow maturity in September, with the first picking starting on 1st October in the Salon plots. Despite the volumes destroyed by bad weather and the strict selection practised at harvest, the magnificent 2013 harvest boasted a yield of 13,000 kg/hectare. The Chardonnays held their own with good alcoholic content and excellent acidity: an extremely promising sign!

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