Description:

Champagne Salon Le Mesnil Grand Cru 1997, unopened original wood case, 6 bottles, 750ml. Provenance: Michael W. Murphy, El Dorado, AR. Neal Auction would like to thank Liz Dowdy Mitchell, Advanced Sommelier, Head of Wine at Vinovest and John Mitchell Food & Beverage Director at the Windsor Court Hotel for their assistance with cataloguing this lot.

  • Notes: "This is one of the rare instances in Europe where a wine has come to define a place and not the other way around. Salon was way ahead of it’s time as the 1st Champagne producer to put the name of a single village on their label, from a single year, AND also promote the Blanc de Blancs style; when traditionally, Champagne’s entire reputation was based on blending multiple grapes together from multiple years from numerous unnamed villages in the region. Showcasing Chardonnay from the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger was a revolutionary concept to say the least considering it was created in 1905 by Eugène-Aimé Salon for his personal consumption. It was so popular amongst his friends that he started selling it commercially in the ‘20s and it soon became one of the most highly-sought after and prestigious Champagnes. Salon is only made in the very best vintages with just 37 vintages being produced in the 20th century with a typical production of 60,000 bottles. And in some vintages, only magnums are bottled. It is aged a minimum of 10 years before release and is one of the region's most coveted wines and a reference point for the Côte de Blancs. The 1997 is awarded 95 points by the Wine Advocate, has aged impeccably since release and is expected to provide many more years of enjoyment." - Liz Dowdy Mitchell, Advanced Sommelier and Head of Wine at Vinovest
  • Condition: If Condition is NOT stated in the description of the lot, the absence of a condition report does not indicate the lot is free of damage or condition issues. Available Condition Reports will appear as an additional image. Condition Reports and photographs may be requested on items until the Wednesday prior to the auction. Bid accordingly. All sales are final, no returns are accepted on the basis of condition.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

November 15, 2023 1:00 PM CST
New Orleans, LA, US

Neal Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $5,000
$50,000 $99,999 $10,000
$100,000 + $20,000