1971 Salon Cuvee 'S' Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut 750mL

1971 Salon Cuvée “S” Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut

Producer Background
Salon is one of Champagne’s most prestigious maisons, located in Le Mesnil‑sur‑Oger in the Côte des Blancs. Founded in 1911, Salon produces a single wine (their Cuvée “S” Blanc de Blancs) in only the most exceptional vintages. It is made entirely from Chardonnay, drawn from premier Grand Cru vineyards in Le Mesnil. Aging is extensive—usually a decade or more on the lees before release—to allow complexity and finesse to emerge.

Vintage & Vineyard
1971 is one of the vintages Salon released, which is one of the rarer and more mature bottlings now well into its tertiary stage. The grapes come from old Chardonnay vines in ideal parcels in Le Mesnil, soils rich in chalk and limestone, and a climate that for 1971 was challenging in some respects but delivered balance where wines were carefully tended.

Tasting Profile
At over 50 years old, this wine is deeply evolved. Expect a pale gold to amber hue, with perhaps brick‑tinged edges. Aromas move from citrus peel, warm honey, toasted almond and hazelnut, to more complex tertiary notes: beeswax, old pastry (mille‑feuille or brioche), dried orchard fruits (apple, quince), and warm spices. On the palate it will show rich texture but marked by maturity: softened mousse (bubbles), gentle acidity carrying it through, flavors of candied citrus, marzipan, toasted nuts, old leather or cognac‑like oxidation, and long, lingering mineral and saline finish. The overall impression is one of elegance, a delicate balance of age and provenance.

Critic Scores & Market Notes
The 1971 vintage of Salon has earned very high praise among critics, often cited at around 95‑97 points in expert scoring. It is prized by collectors, both for its rarity and for how well Salon’s style ages when cellared properly. Markets show this as a highly valued bottle, reflecting both scarcity and desirability.

Serving & Drinking Window
This is a mature wine that must be handled with care. Serve chilled, but not ice cold—around 8‑10 °C—to allow aromas to open. It benefits from a gentle decanting (or tipping) to release sediment and let some of the deeper aromas unfold. At its age, it is likely in its final peak or perhaps just past the highest plateau, so drink sooner rather than later to enjoy its full spectrum.