Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blanc 1996

Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blanc 1996 (For local pickup one day in advance!)

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Mind blowing juice! If you have a special occasion that calls for a heart stopping bottle of Champagne, this is the bottle to pop. The bubbles are silk, the acidity delivers the perfect amount of lift, there is a purity of fruit, balanced by fresh baked brioche characteristics and the finish just keeps on going. 98 Points

The 1996 Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blanc is a magnificent and sought-after Champagne, embodying the elegance and sophistication that Salon is celebrated for. Crafted solely from Chardonnay grapes in the esteemed Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, this vintage Champagne exemplifies the outstanding quality of the 1996 harvest. In the glass, it displays a radiant golden hue with a persistent, fine mousse. The bouquet is captivating, featuring notes of toasted almonds, fresh lemon, green apple, and a touch of white flowers. The palate unveils an array of flavors, including candied citrus, ripe pear, and a distinct minerality. A perfect harmony of acidity and creaminess gives way to a complex and layered Champagne with a lengthy, unforgettable finish. The 1996 vintage is renowned for its quality and aging potential. This exquisite Champagne is ideal for commemorating life's most significant moments or as a lavish gift for a true wine connoisseur. Savor this Champagne alongside sophisticated dishes such as caviar, lobster, or seared scallops to enhance its elegance and complexity. Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) - This bottle of the 1996 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut was drinking superbly and represents the apotheosis of Blanc de Blancs, unfurling over the course of three hours with a stunningly complex bouquet of citrus oil, confit lemon, dried white flowers and oyster shell, with hints of praline and pastry cream becoming more pronounced as the wine opens up in the glass. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, defined by the incisive spine so typical of the vintage that, here, is cloaked in layers of crisp fleshy and chalky extract. The finish is long, penetrating and saline. Unfortunately, since the 1996 Salon has been traded so zealously over the last decade, finding a bottle that hasn't travelled too far can be a challenge. But from a perfectly stored bottle, this is just the beginning.