Mary H

9.0

Purple tint. Aromas of tobacco and … jamon? Light Rainier cherry fruit, hint of savoriness. Heavy tannins for he light weight of the wine. — 3 months ago

Daniel Sullivan

9.1

Transparent brilliant ruby.
Watermelon, Rainier cherry, forest floor nose.
Tart and fresh. — 3 years ago

Charlie Tapp

9.1

Red Plum, rainier cherries, earth and forest floor. — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2018 vintage. Open approx an hour. Simple, undistinguished nose. Fleshy medium body. Bunches of dark and Rainier cherry flavors along with the ubiquitous dark plum but that’s about it currently. Definitely not flashy nor a standout right now. Needs some time to come together. Not one of the showier 2018’s. — 5 years ago

Aravind A

9.1

Pop and pour. A touch of sparkle to start, but blows off with time open. On the nose: soft earth, very NSG with soft funk, rainier cherry and strawberry, soft vanilla. On the palate: fantastic acidity, strawberry, pomegranate, soft earth. Light-bodied, but good density, then the tannin kicks in and finishes this out. Nice finish. — 6 years ago

Aravind A

9.4

Decanted. Didn't touch until 3hrs open. A soft touch of reduction still, some very soft Cameron mushroom/funk, then loads of rainier cherry, wild strawberry, soft plum, baking spice, loads of complexity and nothing is overdone. On the palate, lovely acidity, black cherry, baking spice, soft white pepper, crystalline black raspberry, good salinity, very soft tannin on the dark finish. This is darker than the Clos Electrique, which makes me appreciate it slightly less, but this is a stunning btl of PN. — 6 years ago

Trevor Fobel

9.6

Light with notes of rose and Rainier cherry, as it warms tart grapefruit comes out — 8 years ago

Brendan Baker

9.1

Rainier cherry and raspberry, sous bois, med + acid 😍 — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I’ve had a number of Paul Bara N/V’s & a few vintage cuvées, all have been ok to good. This 2016 Special Club stands out as one of the very best I’ve had from this producer.

It is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. Its dosage is 6 g, which makes it just into the lowest level of Brut, which is another reason why I probably enjoy it. Extra Brut has definitely become my wheelhouse. This right now is more 93 to 94. With 5-8 yrs of cellar time, it should improve another point or two.

Paul Bara is one of 28 or 29 special club members currently.

The nose shows; bright, lemon, cream, notes of honey, caramel, lime, zest, pineapple juice, honeydew, and tropical melons, beautiful, chalky powder, yeasty notes, spring, flowers, yellow, lilies and Jasmine.

The mouth entry shows beautiful, mousse and crisp acidity. Meyer lemon, frothed whole milk, cream, notes of honeysuckle & caramel, lime zest, green apple, pineapple juice, honeydew, tangerine, white stone fruits, yellow & red Rainier cherries and tropical melons, touch of fresh herbs beautiful, chalky powder, gritty, grey, volcanic minerals, white spice, limestone, yeasty notes, spring, flowers, yellow, lilies and Jasmine. The finish is; well structured & balanced, elegant, last nearly 2 minutes and falls gently on chalk, volcanic minerals and nice spring florals.

Definitely delicious!

Pairing - green, vinaigrette salad w/ honey crisp apple, pomegranate, heirloom tomatoes, walnuts & more.

Photos of; the Champagne House of Paul Bara, Paul Bara brand Ambassador, library cellar and Bouzy vineyard. — a year ago

Brendan Baker

9.2

Very pale transparent ruby, Rainier cherry and cranberry, bright acidity ⚡️😋⚡️ — 4 years ago

Anthony Auger

9.5

Strawberries and cream with some fresh mint aroma. Bright mandarin like citrus upfront. The tartness makes that red berry note turn into more of a rainier cherry flavor. As I sit with it, I start to focus on a ripe pineapple note as well. This is one really enjoyable glass. — 5 years ago

Jamie Lauder

9.0

2018 vintage. This is crushable wine. It is so easy to drink.
Bright, shiny cherry red in the glass. On the nose, Rainier Cherries, celery salt, carrot tops and green vegetal.
Get tasting this. Crisp acidity with bright cherries, strawberries and cranberries. It has a juiciness that is refreshing. It’s a steal at $25 CDN $$ — 6 years ago

Matt

9.0

Was happy to get this in the glass again for it has been a long time. Simply juicy, well fruited with a supple creamy texture, inviting nose, clean and refreshing palate marked by bright acidity. Ultra-ripe bing and rainier cherry, clafouti, red currant, confections, leesy goodness and mineral notes. 12/2018 disgorgement — 6 years ago

Dawn E.

9.3

Ok this is my experiment!! My first experience with Domaine Tempier was three years ago; this wine, this vintage. Presenting with an extremely plush salinity in the mouth the wine was lacking just a bit in smell and quite a bit more in pallet.
I did some research..discovering that Bandol Rosé has a pretty unique aging potential. It took a bit but I was able to acquire another 2014...and I waited...(suggested 5-6 yrs.) So I split the difference ...almost!
This wine is so much better on the nose and palate...Rainier Cherries..Watermelon..Kiwi fruit..Jolly Rancher strawberries..tangerine and wet gravel!
Every vintage is different....the 2015 was great from the start and remains my favorite!! — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured, enjoyed over several days. Consistent throughout. The 2013 “Serracapelli” pours deep garnet with transparent core, medium+ viscosity no staining of the tears. Some sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with soaring aromatics; explosive notes of Rainier cherry, roses, pomegranate, Grape Nuts, star anise, talcum powder, old wood, new leather, alpine herbs. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and grippy with almost waxy texture. Fresh, balanced, and super compelling. Lovely stuff. Drink now and through 2033 easy. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 2 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.1

I’m not sure where my previous note went.
Just when you thought you knew Italy, up pops this might as well be SwissFrench alpine darling from the Vallée D’Aoste.
Blanc de Morgex et de la salle. The town/village of Morgex lies just below Mt. Blanc. The Prié Blanc vines thrive in soil that has not known phylloxera.
Stones, herbs,and lemons all wrapped up in a rather electric pkg. I think drink young. Cold, the nose doesn’t have much to say past stone fruit, maybe rainier cherries.,But the palate is pow! Lemons, herbs, mineral, high acid and refreshing. With fried Branzino, perfect!
Always a sucker for high altitude Italian.
Thanks@ AstorWines — 3 years ago

Matt

9.3

76 year old Marsanne and Roussane vines. I can think of several Hermitage Blancs that pale in comparison to Sorrel’s C-H blanc, this is a benchmark Rhône white to me. Full of unique aromas, textural, loaded with glycerol and tannin, deeply mineral and complex, begs for the table. Roasted nuts, smashed apricots, peach skin, Rainier cherry, ripe pear, yellow flowers, root vegetables, wet stones, aniseed and honey. Hoping I will be able to age some, but most likely will drink it all up. — 5 years ago

Erica Salin

9.2

Lovely Pinot. Light red - tastes like rainier cherries and raspberries — 6 years ago

Robert Swart

8.9

Notes of rainier cherry, great balance with tartness that was not too much. Lighter bodied and mellow. Comparing with the Ripasso and Amarone from the same winery. — 6 years ago

Awe Some

9.2

Fern leaves, coffee grounds, touch of fruit skin on the nose. Surprisingly cloudy and hazy in the glass. Rustic flavors galore...sour and Rainier cherries, wet stone, and almost Napa-like dust in the finish. Tastes hotter than its 13.8% abv and absolutely comes alive with fat and salt. This is the frame-off restored '77 two-tone Silverado of your dreams, in a bottle. — 7 years ago