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

Alan Sevin

9.3

Somewhat lives up to the hype, but one day I'll try the others. Very smooth, bursting with oakey vanilla, burnt caramel, and honey. — 5 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.3

A great rye, and worth every penny at $25/bottle. Herbaceous notes with toasted almonds, caramel, burnt sugar, honey, spices. Really smooth, too 🥃 — 6 years ago

Brian Lindke

9.2

Sherry, honey, cinnamon and ripe orange.
Heavy body for a 10 year old.
Long smooth finish with all spice and. Caramel.
Faint whiff of smoke.
Also,Great price point! — 7 years ago

Christian

8.9

Amber color with bright fruit aromas from the sherry cask aging as well as honey and baking spice. Intense sweetness with flavors of honey, vanilla, candied fruit, and salt. Pleasant, lingering finish. — 8 years ago

Steve Shaffer

8.9

Sewer gas., boxwood, acetic ( as in VA) grapefruit, honey. Stuck match, white pepper, lycee, coconut milk. Second round a bit of grass/ hay — 9 years ago

with Molly, Alisha and 2 others

C Smith

9.4

Went well with charcuterie - goat milk camembert, triple cream black cardamom guernsey, local St Pete honey, copa, chorizo, salami. — 3 years ago

Brett Rogosin

9.4

This is bonkers good. It’s like drinking honey coated Werthers original candies, but in a very good way. Nose meets palate. Werthers right away, then honey, white flowers, fondant. Still pretty good acidity. My mouth salivates right away and screams for more. Medium body. Lush. Golden yellow in color. Milk and honey cookies pair perfectly. — 4 years ago

J Chechik

9.3

Besides having a great, cool label - Herman Story wines are so spectacular. This is not your standard “red blend” & the Tempranillo/Petit Verdot give a great complexity. Easily paired w/ a huge range of food. — 5 years ago

K. Ross

9.0

Delicious. Rich caramel and honey. Smooth. Matured in American and European oak. Asks seasoned with sherry from Jerez. — 6 years ago

Dongming Yin

9.5

What did god promise? The river of honey and milk...fantastic vintage and fantastic build of sweet and stout. — 8 years ago

Emily Anderson

9.2

Amazing sherry – paired with a sharp shaved cow's milk cheese, honey and toasted walnuts. — 9 years ago

with Michael

Jeff Shapiro

8.9

First day back to work after 10 days off. Had to pour something special.
I like the concept of the Solera Technique.....
Honey and root beer on the nose with a vanilla, cinnamon and rye on the moth followed by some heat.
Quick caramel finish that doesn't last.
— 9 years ago

John Bratincevic

9.5

Dark color. Nose: dark honey. Overripe pineapple. Vanilla. A little caramel. Taste: caramel, butterscotch. Tree sap. Mild bitter orange. Milk chocolate. Maple syrup, coconut sugar. Dried flowers. I miss the freshness of young Sauternes - but wow. 95.
— 4 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.6

Hard to beat for the price,
K&L notes,

The pristine condition of this stunningly copper-colored brandy is inspiring - it's gorgeous. In the nose there are delicate fragrances of spice, sesame seed, light oak, and baked pears; seven more minutes in the glass bring out pineapple, light toffee, milk, and brown sugar. The palate entry is elegant, composed, and moderately sweet in more of an oaky than a fruity way; by the midpalate stage, there's flavor evidence of ripe pear, white grapes, cake frosting, Oloroso sherry, orange peel, and dark honey. End up sugary sweet, satiny textured, and long in the throat. 4 Stars - Highly Recommended - Spirit Journal - F. Paul Pacult 40% ABV
Related items click to collapse contents — 4 years ago

Gunja Gargeshwari

9.5

Honey, port wine on the nose with a silky mouthfeel and perfect viscosity. The finish has a burn which is perfect not soft like an aberlour and it’s not sweet either. Masterpiece! — 5 years ago

Francisco Garcia

9.6

Love coming back to the quality crafted scotch products. Honey infused traces of flavor and remarkable presence that leaves you wondering if its there or not. Very good — 7 years ago

Ming L

9.0

Not very aromatic as Roussanne goes, but it’s layered with peach, lemon, floral, honey, pear, subtle roast nuts, with touch of saltiness. Richly textured, it is deep and multifaceted. Also a very versatile wine that went well with a wide range of dishes we had the night, from grilled pork porterhouse, milk-poached cod, and sauté shrimp with jalapeño. Need to drink more Roussanne. — 8 years ago

Josh Freeman

9.2

Single malt with hints of rum. Some vanilla and/or honey. Favorite bottle at the moment — 9 years ago

TheWineStalker

9.0

Aromas of floral candle wax, candied apricots, ruby red grapefruit, citrus peel and cilantro. Full bodied, low in acidity, and has a wax-like mouthfeel. Flavors of apricots, white peach and honey. And I swear there's almost like a milk chocolate thing going on too. Finishes with a thick and smooth coating on your teeth and a bit of spiciness on the tongue. Market Vineyards made their only white worth making! — 10 years ago