SALON Brut Blanc De Blancs Le Mesnil

WA: 96+

The 2013 Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil continues its ascent and, even with just a couple of extra years in bottle, is already revealing different facets, expressing itself from the glass with aromas of citrus oil, white flowers, fresh hazelnut and freshly baked bread, mingled with marine inflections and a faint hint of mango. On the palate, it is full-bodied, ample and concentrated, underpinned by ripe yet racy acidity, animated by a pinpoint mousse and concluding with a resonant, chalky finish. While not fundamentally different, it is slightly tauter and more incisive in the context of the 2015; yet it possesses no austerity and will hardly disappoint those who choose to open a bottle in the mid-term. That said, it is undeniable that it will continue to gain depth with further aging, with no risk of deterioration.

WS: 95

A graceful Champagne, with pleasing plushness to the finely detailed mousse, revealing a delicate honeyed overtone to the notes of apricot tart, lemon curd, white blossoms and smoked almond. Shows a rich, underlying streak of chalky minerality that emerges to drive the lacy finish. Drink now through 2038. 3,800 cases imported.