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

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Single vineyard "Les Belles Voyes" in the famous Grand Cru hillside of Oger. Pale lemon with fine creamy mousse and tiny rapid bubble flow, long lees aging. aromas stone fruits and blossom, bread dough and citrus. On the palate flavors of golden apple, peach, lemon citrus and honeysuckle with biscuit toast and nutty notes. Long finish, full-body ending with biscuit, mineral and citrus character. Outstanding! — 4 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.4

Complex & layered with honeyed stone fruit, nutmeg & almonds, candied lemon peel and pinch of exotic spice.
Elegant, layered, elegant and barely sweet on the palate. This is actually beautiful. Honeyed fruit, butter crusted dough, candied citrus peel.
Complex, layered, elegant, with a brilliant long finish.
This will convert anyone to naturally sweet wine! — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

An older Krug Cuvee purchased in 14 showing a rich apple, pear with a toasty, honeyed, brioche, pastry dough & mineral — 6 months ago

Brandon Beldengreen-Karas

9.2

Shout out to Julia and Tiffany’s for the stemware! Bursting with apples and stone fruit. Biscuit dough and preserved lemon add complexity. Worthy for a celebration, and if a celebration in itself. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

From grapes grown in the Valle de Uco, and small amount aged in neutral oak, medium lemon with aromas of stone and tropical fruits with notes of honeysuckle and bread dough. On the palate flavors of apple, peaches and pineapple with creamy texture, medium+ finish ending with fruit and mineral texture. Nice value! — 4 years ago

Thomas Thompson

9.2

Melon, toasted almond, candied lemon, and uncooked dough. Well rounded with a touch of funk and spice. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Happy birthday Honey. 🥳🎂🎉 🌹

This is absolutely as exquisite as when we had it for Christina’s birthday March 1, 2023. The benefit tonight is time & attention to focus on it. Delicious.

Green apple, lime, lemon pineapple, stone fruits, slightly bruised golden apple and pear, leans into apple cider, cream, ginger ale, nuts w/ skin, very fine powdery chalkiness, limestone, saline, biscuit dough, sea fossils. Amazing body and acidity, fruit blossoms, jasmine, yellow florals and well; structured knitted, balanced, extremely well polished finish that lasts two-minutes. Drinking beautiful now & with time & life for 10 yrs or more. Love you Sofia.

#MaxwellThisWomansWork — a year ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.3

Lemon, lime, cantaloupe. Burst of kiwi acid on the finish. Dough, rocks. Solid, balanced and pleasing. — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Always a great choice for a 2nd btl off the list to finish lunch. Lots of berry fruit, citrus, pastry dough in a creamy finish — 4 years ago