Paul Cluver
Paul Bara
Grand Millésime Brut Grand Cru Champagne Blend 2018
Tasted from 1/2 bottle. They come in handy for dinner for two in many cases, but especially at a restaurant that allows corkage. Most do in California. It is even harder to find vintage champagne in 375ml’s.
The 2018 vintage was good to very good. You need to taste and or read up for its best offerings.
A note, I tasted at the Billecart-Salmon property in later October 2022 with Mathieu Roland-Billecart. As insightful as that was, he was asked other than Billecart Salmon champagnes, what was one of his favorite champagnes? His reply was surprisingly an older vintage Paul Bara he had recently. That’s a producer question that gets asked often. Normally generates a pause with some minor angst to answer.
The nose shows; lemon chiffon/meringue, bruised apple to slightly cider, bruised pear, yellow & white stone fruits, just ripe pineapple, orange citrus blend, lime pulp, tropical melons, whipped, white cream, white spice-ginger, yeasty bread dough, saline, crushed limestone pulp, crumbled chalk, sea fossils, white spring flowers set in yellow lilies.
The palate is round & soft. The mousse is delicate w/ micro oxidation. Ripe; lemon chiffon/meringue, white & yellow stone fruit, slightly bruised apple & Bosc pear, lime pulp, orange citrus rind, some tropical melons, cream, ginger white spice, yeasty bread dough, sea spray, saline, sea fossils, dry crumbled chalkiness, caramel notes, heather honey, warm perfectly toasted toast, graham cracker, nougat w/ nuts, yellow flowers set in a field of white spring flowers, excellent acidity with a nicely; balanced, structured, tensioned, polished finish that lasts a minute and falls on limestone laced with soft, dry, powdery chalkiness.
Photos of; the house of Paul Bara, chalky caves w/ riddling racks, old wood basket press & a vineyard picking party. — 2 months ago
Paul Jaboulet Aîné
La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah
I was going through my La Chapelle section today and my eyes got stuck on this 1999 - bottle looked absolutely pristine and I decided it was a perfect age to drink. Cork was in great condition and the wine was powerful and youthful with no signs of oxidation. Could have kept the bottle for a few more years, but it was probably perfect today. All the complex leathery earthy goodness you expect from this wine was there. — a month ago
Paul Hobbs
CrossBarn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Heavy plum and blackberry currant on the nose, smooth and robust/full bodied finish. Excellent Napa Cab. — 2 months ago
Domaine de Beaurenard (Paul Coulon et Fils)
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2003
Drinking the 2003 in 2025. Light ruby color. Rich bouquet, with lots of toasted oak, deep dark ripe fruit and an earthy finish. High alcohol!! Very smooth flavors, wonderful wine !! — a month ago
Paul Hobbs
CrossBarn Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
2023 vintage at Narcoossees’s with bucatini pasta and scallops. Really nice buttery wine. — 2 months ago
Paul Jaboulet Aîné
Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage Syrah 2015
Beautiful glass filling nose with flowers and tar followed by dark bramble, smoke, leather and liquorice. Pretty chewy tannines and a long finish. Wine got very divergent notes and ratings on ct but I am liking this a lot. No blockbuster over extracted powerhouse but freshness and complexity. Very glad to have 5 more. — 3 months ago
David White
Bordeaux Blend- Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Merlot 15% 2018 was wet season and this impacted the normally bold style.
It is still full bodied - deep ruby red colour - but t’s a more lighter, elegant classic style, with blackcurmat red berry and cassis. So what is lost in power is replaced by a more refined and elegant wine.
— a month ago