Magnificent 2013 Salon Returns with a Reduced Price

"The 2013 is a huge wine"

That’s what Antonio Galloni from Vinous said about the 2013 Salon when he re-tasted it in 2024. Once again, he awarded it 99 points, echoing his initial enthusiasm from his first tasting when he declared:

"The 2013 is the most powerful, dense young Salon I have ever tasted […] In a word: Magnificent."

And yes, the 2013 Salon is truly magnificent. It’s one of the house’s finest releases, and the current market allows the price to be at a level appealing to both investors and consumers.

Meanwhile, the Liv-ex 100 Index shows positive momentum for the first time since March. Read more below about the investment potential of one of Champagne’s most prized treasures.

Champagne Salon: Private Luxury Bubbles Became the New Trend in the City of Lights

In 1905, the first vintage of Salon Champagne was produced, but it was never intended for everyone. The man behind the success, Eugène-Aimé Salon, created these refined bubbles primarily for himself and his friends, driven by his love for gastronomy and fine dining. But Eugène was also a businessman, able to sense his opportunities. In 1920, he established the Salon Champagne house and began releasing his first wines to the market.

When the 1920s brought parties and glamour to Paris, Eugène-Aimé Salon’s Champagne became a natural part of the city’s exclusive social scene. He started selling Salon in the city’s most prestigious venues, including Maxim's, where the elite gathered to be seen. Salon champagne stood as a symbol of the latest trends and exclusivity.

It was a long and demanding journey for Eugène-Aimé Salon to establish his Champagne brand. But his unwavering determination and uncompromising standards are key reasons why Salon still exists today. He insisted on releasing his Champagne only when it met his high-quality standards. Even until his death in 1943, he maintained this uncompromising approach.

When Eugène-Aimé passed away during World War II, his sister took over the operation. Although she wasn’t particularly interested in the champagne house, she allowed the cellar master to continue production. Maxim’s in Paris remained the primary sales outlet until the 1950s, around which time Salon began exporting to other European countries. However, it wasn’t until 1983 that the first cases of Salon were sent to the United States.

In 1968, Salon Champagne was sold to Dubonnet-Cinzano, bringing the Champagne house into the Pernod-Ricard group for a period. However, this wasn’t the ideal environment for a brand with such a dedicated focus on quality and limited production. In 1989, a year after the legendary 1988 vintage, Salon was sold again, this time to the Laurent-Perrier Champagne house, putting Salon back in the hands of those who valued quality and tradition.

2013 Salon Is Close to Perfection

Salon only releases champagne when the vintage quality is near perfection, which is why Salon Champagne consistently ranks among the world’s elite. But there are just releases that are slightly more refined. A little more exclusive. With 99 points from Vinous and 97 points from both Wine Advocate and Richard Juhlin, the 2013 Salon is one such release. Only the legendary 2008 and 1996 vintages rank higher as Champagne benchmarks.

With a long wait ahead for the next big vintage, it may be a while before a new Salon release reaches these heights.

The Next Major Vintage May Be Some Time Away…

"Recent tastings confirm that 2019 is the most complete and serious vintage in Champagne since 2013. The wines have texture, resonance, and complexity." – Antonio Galloni

The 2013 Salon is the house’s latest release, launched in 2023. This means it could be five to six years before we see the 2019 Salon – a vintage Galloni considers the next competitor to 2013.

This suggests that consumers may increasingly turn to the top-quality offerings already available, such as the 2013 Salon, now at a reduced price.

2013 Salon: Discounted Price Appeals to Investors and Consumers Alike

A year ago, we first offered the 2013 Salon for investment, described as a Greek god of Champagne with stunning beauty, as Salon itself described the release. At that time, we offered it for €1,000*.

However, even a Greek god of Champagne can take a hit in a turbulent global market, and the price of 2013 Salon has undergone corrections. As of now, your investment price is €880*.

For comparison, the lowest price for the 2013 Salon on wine-searcher.com is currently €904*, offering an investment opportunity at a reduced price and the lowest on the market.

So, will prices drop further? There are no guarantees, but the Liv-ex 100 Index, representing price movements of the top 100 traded fine wines on the Liv-ex exchange, was up 0.1% in October. While modest, this is the index’s first increase since March 2024.

*Price excludes customs, tax, and VAT, in full cases and pristine condition.

Salon’s Performance

While recent years have been marked by volatility in the wine market – and indeed most markets – Salon has delivered impressive returns across vintages.

According to Liv-ex, the last ten vintages* of Salon that have been on the market for at least five years have delivered an average return of 66.2% over the past five years, equating to an average annual return of 10.7%. This includes a period when Salon prices underwent adjustments.

*Vintages: 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2007.

RareWine Invest’s Opinion

If you were among those who invested when we first offered the 2013 Salon, it’s understandably disappointing to see its value decrease. However, short-term fluctuations should be ignored by wine investors. The reasons for investing remain the same, and wine investment mechanisms suggest that wines typically increase in value as quantities diminish in the market and optimal aging is approached.

With only about 60,000 bottles of Salon produced per vintage, the 2013 release is still relatively new to the market. And with a drinking window that Vinous estimates will extend to 2053, this vintage’s potential is still unfolding.

The Liv-ex 100 Index has seen its first rise since March, Salon has performed well over longer periods (even during crisis times), and we’re dealing with one of the finest releases from one of the world’s top champagne houses – even at a price that is currently lower than the cheapest price on wine-searcher.com.