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  • Country ranking ?

    146
  • Producer ranking ?

    1
  • Decanting time

    15min
  • When to drink

    now
  • Food Pairing

    Baked Goat Cheese with Glazed Baby Beets

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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1961 Salon Collection 99 points by Richard Juhlin / If I was near tears due to the disappointment of the 1966, the tears came for real in the next flight when this bottle, disgorged at the same time and with exactly the same low dosage, was so lovely that my emotions surged over. In fact, this wonderfully youthful wine is the bottle that reminded me most of the world's top wine - the 1928 Pol Roger Grauves. It was the same improbable contrast between the youthful and mature notes. The scent is so unreal, with its euphoric pheromone-reeking perfume enhanced by linden, geranium, lily of the valley, acacia, ginger, fresh tarragon, mint, lime zest and lemon of Sorrento. Crystal-clear brilliance, laser-sharp clarity and delicate precision. Affectionate with faint undertones of vanilla, brioche and toast. A flinty mineral finesse and whirling small pearl necklace bubbles pirouetting on the palate and bursting like caviar grains in the mouth. What is lacking, in comparison to the 1928 Grauves, is a hazy oiliness that may come in twenty years or so. Imagine a 51-year old who can personalise melted snow, late winter and life's rebirth.

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The Story

This Champagne is produced from a one-hectare parcel owned by Salon: "Salon’s garden", and from 19 other smaller parcels in Mesnil-sur-Oger, chosen by Aimé Salon at the beginning of the century. The wines are cellared in the bottle for an average of 10 years, gaining in complexity and finesse.

The proof that memory and history are important is shown by the bottles in the cellars from nearly all the vintages that have ever been produced at Salon. Headed by Aimé Salon until his death in 1943, the house was then left to his nephew. In 1988, Champagne Laurent-Perrier, a family-owned company, became the majority shareholder of Champagne Salon.

Made from 100% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs grand cru vineyard, Le Mesnil-sur- Oger. The densely planted vines are located on the mid-slope in chalky soil, and the Cordon de Royat method of trellising is used, which allows access to the soil at the base of the vines.

The grapes are picked and sorted by hand. Only the first pressing, or cuvée, is used. This is the lightest, freshest juice, containing the highest percentage of acidity, which is essential to the evolution and vivacity of the Champagne. The first fermentation takes place in a stainless steel tank. The wine receives no oak exposure and does not undergo malolactic fermentation.

The wine is cellared in the bottle for an average of 10 years, gaining in complexity and finesse. Riddling is done by hand. All bottles are disgorged within 8 months of the first disgorgement, also by hand.

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Wine Information

1961/ Flowering languid at the start, very rapid from full bloom stage to completion. Harvesting commenced on 20th September in excellent conditions, revealing a good health status. Fine quality.

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Vintage 1961

The 1961 vintage in Champagne is celebrated as an exceptional year that yielded wines of outstanding quality and finesse. In this vintage report, we will delve into the key characteristics and highlights of the 1961 Champagne wines.

Weather Conditions: The weather conditions in Champagne during the 1961 growing season were instrumental in shaping the extraordinary character of the vintage. The year began with a mild winter, followed by a spring that brought ideal conditions for flowering. Summer was warm with consistent sunshine, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and steadily. The weather remained favorable throughout the harvest season, resulting in grapes of exceptional quality.

The 1961 Champagne vintage is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the 20th century. These Champagnes are known for their remarkable aging potential and complexity.

Appearance: The 1961 Champagnes typically exhibit a pale golden hue with a fine and persistent effervescence, showcasing their freshness and vitality even after many years of aging.

Nose: On the nose, the 1961 Champagnes offer a captivating bouquet with aromas of citrus zest, white flowers, and hints of toasted brioche. There is a pronounced minerality that adds depth and complexity to the aromatic profile.

Palate: In the mouth, the 1961 Champagnes are marked by their remarkable depth, finesse, and balance. The bubbles are finely integrated, providing a creamy and luxurious mouthfeel. The acidity remains vibrant, lending a refreshing quality to the wines. Flavors of ripe orchard fruits, honeyed notes, and subtle nuttiness intermingle harmoniously. These wines are exceptionally well-balanced, showcasing the elegance and longevity for which Champagne is renowned.

Overall Impressions: The Champagne 1961 vintage is considered a legendary year in the region's history. These wines have aged gracefully and continue to captivate wine enthusiasts with their complexity and character. They are a testament to the exceptional winemaking prowess of Champagne and offer a timeless experience for those fortunate enough to encounter a bottle from this vintage.

For collectors and connoisseurs, the 1961 Champagne wines represent a pinnacle of excellence in the world of sparkling wine. They are a reminder of the enduring appeal and enduring quality that Champagne is known for and serve as a benchmark for exceptional vintages in the region.

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Average Bottle Price

2015 2012 2010 2005
4 944€ +27.3% 3 883€ +1.0% 3 844€ +116.4% 1 776€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Tasting note

color

Medium, Straw and Pale

ending

Long, Round and Extensive

flavors

Apricot

nose

Intense, Opulent, Ripe and Seductive

recommend

Yes

taste

Average in Acidity, Medium tannin, Perfectly balanced, Concentrated, Complex, Developing, Medium-bodied, Rich, Vigor, Fresh, Dry and Silky tannins

Verdict

Full-bodied and Impressive

Written Notes

If I was near tears due to the disappointment of the 1966, the tears came for real in the next flight when this bottle, disgorged at the same time and with exactly the same low dosage, was so lovely that my emotions surged over. In fact, this wonderfully youthful wine is the bottle that reminded me most of the world's top wine - the 1928 Pol Roger Grauves. It was the same improbable contrast between the youthful and mature notes. The scent is so unreal, with its euphoric pheromone-reeking perfume enhanced by linden, geranium, lily of the valley, acacia, ginger, fresh tarragon, mint, lime zest and lemon of Sorrento. Crystal-clear brilliance, laser-sharp clarity and delicate precision. Affectionate with faint undertones of vanilla, brioche and toast. A flinty mineral finesse and whirling small pearl necklace bubbles pirouetting on the palate and bursting like caviar grains in the mouth. What is lacking, in comparison to the 1928 Grauves, is a hazy oiliness that may come in twenty years or so. Imagine a 51-year old who can personalise melted snow, late winter and life's rebirth.
  • 99p
Årgångsbetyg: 5 av 5 poäng. På grund av att 61:orna från Bordeaux blivit så berömda kostar champagne från årgången mer än ’59, ’64 och ’66, trots att kvaliteten inte är högre. Krug är kolossal och många champagnesamlare hävdar att ’61 Dom Pérignon som den främsta champagnen de provat. ’61 Billecart-Salmon kom tvåa i Millenieprovningen. Kommentar från provningen: Om jag var nära att gråta av besvikelse över 66:an kom tårarna på riktigt i nästa flight då denna flaska degorgerad samtidigt och med exakt samma låga dosage var så ljuvlig att känslorna svallade över. Här fanns en osannolik kontrast mellan ungdomlighet och snyggt mogna toner. Doften är så overklig med sin euforiska feromonosande parfym upplyft av lindblom, geranium, liljekonvalj, akacia, ingefära, färsk dragon, mynta, limeskal och Sorrentocitron. Glasklar briljans och laserskarp skärpa och precision. Smeksam med svaga undertoner av vanilj, brioche och rostning. Klockren flintig mineralfiness och virvlande små pärlhalsbandsbubblor som dansar balett i gommen och spricker som kaviarkorn i munnen. Tänk att en 51-åring kan personifiera snösmältning, vårvinter och livets pånyttfödelse. Vinet kommer direkt från Salons källare. Degorgerad i oktober’11, dosage 1 gram/liter. Rangordning i provningen: 1:a av 19.
  • 100p
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Information

Origin

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Very good

Investment potential

Good

Fake factory

Be Cautious

Glass time

30min

Drinking temperature

8
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