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. — 4 months ago

Willie Carter

9.6

Youthful but exuberant and already showing itself to be special. An aesthetically pleasing light golden hue with effusive tiny bubbles. Really fun aromas of oak and mint with cigar smoke and a dab of honey. It honestly just keeps getting better and better. Cherries and lychee with plums and dried herbs. This is already off to a good start.

Everything from this house is fantastic year in and year out. Mostly Grand Cru Pinot from Bouzy, this has a bit of Chardonnay added in. Energetic and lively with terrific structure. This has the bones to be super in the future. Based on the glorious year of 2012, it’s already a great wine.

Elegance and explosiveness in the mouth. Purity and freshness for days. A citrus attack to start off with followed by red fruits. Biscuits and cigars on the long, lusty finish. If you’re familiar with Bara champagnes you probably already have this tucked safely away and if you’re not, you should be. — 2 years ago

Nicole Burkhardt

9.8

Hyde Park steak house wine #1 — 5 years ago

Billy L.

9.3

Celebrating John K. Selling Long Beach House! Cheers 🍾🥂👍🏻👏🏻 — 4 months ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

This bottle has hung around a steak house in Omaha a bit, a bargain at $45, but still fantastic — 2 years ago

with TwiLea

Shengli Hu

9.0

2011 was a cold and rainy year up on the Spring Mountain. Widely recognized as a bad year for Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa, but the Syrah was absolutely lovely.

Brett. Barnyard funk. (Just the right amount though. I like.) Leather, black pepper, blackberry, cedar, red juicy cherry, blueberry. Pencil shavings. A bit hollow mid palate. Elevated acidity. Great value at $30 with the case special in September 2022 ;) — 3 years ago

Sara Gravesen

9.0

Had at hudson house with burger and steak and frites.... yummy and smooth — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

For me, there are a lot stories associated with this little brother to Leoville Las Cases. Made by the same technical team, but certainly a different terroir.

Older vintages that were brought in by Clyde Beffa at K&L Wine Merchants kept me from opening my more expensive-younger Bordeaux in my collection. Starting w/ the 97 vintage well after its original release, I believe they sold through two lots of 5,000 cases over different years. A vintage crushed by critics. But with some long time cellar, value & quality. Magic!

This has always shown me QPR and to be a great fatty steak wine- Ribeye or Ribcap.

The 2007 Bordeaux vintage, critically not well reviewed. With basically 16 yrs plus in bottle, more special.

This has really come around and still ascending. Ripe, elegant, lush; dark currents, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherry skin, black plum skin, poached strawberries, black, rich, turned earth with dry leaves, moist & dry clays, graphite, tobacco w/ ash, slightly used leather, dry river stone, limestone minerals, dry top soil, pepper, some sweet tarriness, mix of fresh & dry herbs, mid, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon & understated vanillin, dry, withering, dark & red florals, nice acidity with good tension, structure, finally balanced & elegant finish that lands squarely on soften earthiness, some spice and lasts two-minutes.

This still has 15 years plus of life ahead.

Paired with Costco Prime Ribcaps. — 4 months ago

J Choi

9.5

Favorite house nv — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Had this at Bern’s Steak House in dessert room. Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe stone and tropical fruits and floral notes wrapped in a frizzante. On the palate flavors of peach, apricot and mango with notes of white floral. Good balance with lively yet refrained acidity, medium+ finish ending with sweet ripe fruit character. — 3 years ago