Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The only Champagne in their flight. First time having this producer.

It has gentle, micro bubbles. Soft mousse. Again, a touch sweet. At least for me. Seems more than 9g. It is interesting to me that with all of France’s rather strict wines laws, I have seen extra brut over 6g & brut over 9g.

Full cherries to kirsch quality, strawberries, pomegranate and raspberries. Gentle dry herbal notes, moist, crumbled chalk & limestone, yeast notes, some white spice, sea fossil/spray, crumbled grey volcanics, pink & red roses, pleasant round acidity, nicely polished finish that is more fruit than earth as it sets and lasts 45 seconds to a minute. — 10 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

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. — a month ago

Douglas Braun

9.2

This the 2015 Vintage - from Bouzy Grand Cru - seems so fresh pear/apple ,Brioche, toasted grain , great mousse — 4 months ago

Vanessa

9.2

Here we have the Benoit Lahaye ‘Blanc de Noirs’ – a non-vintage white bubbly made with 100% Pinot Noir, representing a blend of two parcels in Bouzy (Vaux-Bétins & Raies Tortues), each contributing a unique personality to the cuvée.

Harking back to more traditional winemaking methods, it was barrel-fermented naturally & bottled without filtration.

It has a pale gold hue w/ expressive aromas & flavors of baked red apple, cider, raspberry, fruit cake, lemon curd, cherry blossom, toast, clove, cinnamon, pastry, almond paste, and nougat next to chiseled mineral & wet stone notes.

With an ‘extra brut’ dosage (5g of sugar/L), this wine is bone dry, with a fine-beaded, creamy mousse, that is nicely balanced by a racy acidity. It has a kinetic energy & persistent finish. It’s absolutely delicious.

Who ever said you can’t sip bubbles on a Monday night?

I believe every day is worth celebrating in one form or another. Plus, this counts as studying for our WSG Champagne Masters class. Also, it’s Eiffel Tower Day!!

Cheers. — 19 days ago

with Deked1

romo

9.2

Even better than the real thing. — 3 months ago

Konstantin Kalugin

9.2

Great bottle to start the New Year with! — 4 months ago

Gladys Xiques

8.9

A wonderful start to dinner. Chalky bright with notes of apricot — 8 days ago

Mackenzie Svee

9.4

On the nose, chiseled, saline notes that provide backbone and vibrancy. Pears, white flowers and slate flow through to the chiseled finish. — 15 days ago

Howard Burkett

9.4

Oh oh oh yes... — 3 months ago

Fiona Riley

9.2

This is a great champagne. Not too sweet and very light. Will definitely be buying more — 3 months ago