Ed Chin

9.0

The initial taste was candied but quickly turned to tart red fruit The earthy element and light body reminded me of a Pinot. Not a Burg 🤔 — 5 months 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 year ago

Joe Santiago

9.0

Nice young Merlot. Mild aroma and tannins — 4 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

Love this wine every year. Great nose and palate of white flowers, honey/honeysuckle, stones, a hint of tropical fruit and some underripe nectarine. So easy to drink and great qpr. — 5 years ago

Dani Jensen-DeNofa

9.7

Medium yellow color. Tropical and vanilla on nose. Oak With something I can’t distinguish.. maybe some salinity? Bright pineapple. Then rich buttery creaminess. Slight vanilla into an oak finish. Slightly dry — 6 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.1

So this ChMont doesn't hold the line with the prior cab. It's solid, as always, but lacks complexity, depth, and frankly even body. This is medium. A nice smoked wood note makes its somewhat different. But otherwise, it feels underripe, and thin. It's worth laying down for a while (ask @Shay A how long) to look for you improvement. I really wanted to press to 9.2 here but couldn't.

91+ points — 7 years ago

Ross Bathgate

9.3

Opened after Xmas lunch as we needed a follow up to the Black Shiraz. Did not disappoint. Mature and soft with all the lovely spice and dark fruit of the basket pressed. Lovely. — 6 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.5

We visited there in the early summer of 2015 and now we got to try the fruits of their labor in the vineyard we witnessed at that time. A bio-dynamic vineyard with horse and plow 😁. Their wines are fantastic. This wine was richer in fruit and more expressive than perhaps characteristic for the Pauillac region. But the layers of earth infused flavors and the most subtle hint of ‘barnyard’ made it a sensation. Topped off with a grippy finish keeping the flavors lingering in your throat. www.spokenwines.com. — 2 years ago

with Tammy

Raul Tamayo

8.9

It was fine nothing to write home about — 3 years ago

Brendan Devine

9.2

Whoa! This was a surprise. Tart apple, Brie cheese. Slightly effervescent. In that ABv sweet spot as well. Drink with impunity. — 5 years ago

Christian Adams

9.4

Great cider, dry, reminds me of basque style ciders. — 6 years ago

Jodi M

9.2

Gorgeous Barossa shiraz. Not too heavy, very drinkable. — 7 years ago

Lindsay Corrigan

8.9

Full Strawberry nose with white pepper. Taste juicy red berry front settles down to a wash blueberry. Then at back of mouth intensity starts with flavour of roasted red peppers done over oak coals and finish cleanse of eucalyptus.🍷 — 7 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Interesting “Vin de France” that is the brainchild of the great Louis Barruol. Primarily made with Grenache that is a blending of several vintages, all vinified in concrete tanks. This one was bottled in 2019. Deep ruby/garnet/purple color. Aromas of ripe red berry fruit, dried purple flowers and dusty earth. Flavors of strawberries, red and black cherries, blackberries, red and black licorice and baking spices. Touch of black pepper spice on the medium-plus and slightly earthy/musty/peaty finish. Medium-plus acidity. Light and well integrated tannins. Pleasant texture and purity. Interesting concept that has led to an interesting wine. Excellent QPR. — 9 months ago

Andy Weinstein

9.4

Wonderful. Paired well with spiced pork and dark chocolate dessert. — 3 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.1

Strawberry cola and some blackberry bramble. Nice finish. Not the most complex wine but pretty darn good. Fruit forward pinot with some balance. — 3 years ago

Kevin Mullally

9.1

Christmas in a bottle. Spice. Cloves, cinnamon, yummy. — 5 years ago

Jason Troendle

9.4

Sweet and not too strong — 6 years ago

with Mandy

Ceenic

9.0

Super smooth — 7 years ago

Dimes

9.0

Lo que Syrah Syrah 🥰 — 7 years ago