Jack Petras

8.9

2023 delightful Friday afternoon wine. Reminds me of a Cheverney. Viognier is in just the right balance. — 4 days ago

David Shaw

9.2

Dia Bonita Albariño, Three Mile Vineyard, Columbia Valley AVA. 23 cases produced, barrel fermented, micro producer worth watching for Washington-state and Oregon-grown Spanish varieties like Albariño and Tempranillo. This is made like a high-end Chardonnay- fruity, crisp but softened via malolactic fermentation. Finish of floral, citrus, orchard fruit flavors with some minerality. — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The Ariston Aspasie Cépages d'Antan is a blend of one grape that is nearly extinct in Champagne, Petit Meslier and two rare grapes that get blended into Champagne. It parses into 40% Petit Meslier, 40% Arbanne, and 20% Pinot Blanc. None of the three main grapes; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier

Crazy good body and super soft mouthfeel. There is soft precision in the palate. Excellent micro oxygenation. Shades of the 2007 Taittinger Comte’s. Leads with the white citruses.- lime, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi, some pineapple juice, tropical green melon, what softer than soft powdery chalkiness, limestone, volcanics just as soft, spring flowers for days, perfect acidy and a purely beautifully balanced, knitted, length that has length and a singing finish that goes on and on. @ K&L Champagne tasting. — a year 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. — 2 months ago

Pamela Taylor

9.0

A nice gold hue in the glass, hits you with the freshest of herbs on the nose (dill, tarragon, hint of peppery micro greens?). Medium-bodied mouthfeel of lemon pith and fresh lime, floral notes, racy and lengthy finish. Digging this one! — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

A little different from the Rosés I drink but pleasant. Soft on the palate with micro oxygenation. Blood orange, we’ll cook rhubarb, poached strawberries, orange & tangerine citrus blend, some white citrus, extremely soft powdery chalkiness, limestone marl, baguette crust, crush rocks, light red & pink florals ( roses), nice acid, well balanced finished fruit & earth. 80% Pinot 20% Chardonnay @ Compline Tasting Bar — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

In a good spot with room to improve. Beautiful texture, mousse, micro beaded.

Notes of Honeycomb and butterscotch. Both yellow & white peaches, nectarines, tropical melons, pineapple, understated lemon, cream, baguette, beautiful fine chalky powder, saline notes, sea spray, yellow & spring flowers, excellent soft acidity and a well made elegant, smartly polished finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.

Another 15-20 years here of quality sipping. — 5 months ago

Daniel veit

9.0

Micro-Negoc juice. Excellent and under appreciated sites. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured. While unusual, somewhat on-brand for Matteo Correggia, the 2010 “Le Marne Grigie” is a micro-production Bordeaux-blend (with a splash of Syrah) from Roero. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous but still showing abundant ripe fruit: currants, plums, tobacco, bell pepper, some purple flowers, organic earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+(?) acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. Surprisingly youthful! Though this is certainly a bit left field, it retains it’s old world sensibilities. A fun wine to try if you can ever find it. Drink now and through 2030. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Surprisingly, one I just haven’t gotten around to trying.

It’s very light on its feet. Micro oxygenation, lime & lemon pulp, grapefruit, white peach, slivered almonds, nougat, vanillin, notes of cream, delicate chalkiness & volcanics, saline, sea fossils, touch of yeast, lively acidity, clean, elegant, polished finish. — 4 years ago