The 2006 Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil is a Champagne blend produced by Salon, a renowned name in the Champagne region of France. This 2006 vintage is a white wine with an alcohol content of 12.0% and is sealed with a cork closure. The wine has received significant attention from professional reviewers, earning accolades for its quality and complexity.
James Suckling awarded this wine a high score of 97, highlighting its "pedigree and provenance." He noted the presence of "wet chalk and oyster shell notes," along with aromas of "dried yellow flowers and white mushrooms," and a refined mix of "white chocolate and lemon citrus." The palate, according to Suckling, showcases "ripe lemon-drenched peach fruits" and builds to a finish with "white almond biscuit and toasted spices." Suckling suggests that this wine is generous for its young age and recommends drinking it now. (jamessuckling.com, 10/4/2017)
Wine Enthusiast gave the highest praise with a perfect score of 100, calling it a "perfect blanc de blancs" and a "cellar selection." The review emphasizes the wine's "crisp, chalky, mineral tones" and "perfumed apple notes." Additionally, the aromas hint at "developing toastiness" that adds depth and complexity. The reviewer advises that the wine will continue to age well and recommends drinking it from 2020. (Wine Enthusiast, 12/1/2017)
Wine Spectator also rated this Champagne highly with a score of 95, describing it as having a "creamy mousse" that "caresses the palate like cashmere." The review mentions flavors of "glazed nectarine, chopped almond, pastry, and candied ginger," framed by "vivid acidity." The finish is noted for its minerally "chalk and saline notes." The wine is suggested for drinking now through 2031. (Wine Spectator, 11/30/2017)
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with another commendable score of 95, described the 2006 vintage as "quite tangy and reserved" for a sunny year. William Kelley noted the wine's aromas of "smoke, toasted bread, orange oil, mocha, and confit lemon," and described it as "medium to full-bodied, fleshy, and enveloping." Kelley also pointed out the "racy acids and a concentrated, surprisingly structured mid-palate," concluding with a "long and gently empyreumatic finish." The wine was disgorged in January 2019. (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 3/31/2021)
In summary, the 2006 Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil has been highly acclaimed for its rich complexity, elegant structure, and aging potential, making it a noteworthy choice for Champagne enthusiasts.