Medium-dark purple color, dark fruits (cassis, dark berry) still pretty youthful with loads of tannic structure, this wine may last longer than me, from the early days when I understand this cuvée had press wine in it, I just wish my dear friend George was still here to share this with me!! — 3 years ago
Good and very drinkable. — 4 months ago
Really solid Riesling at great value. — 8 months ago
Great Grenache from France. Rhône style red that comes through. The grape is the queen in this wine. Soft but with true flavor of the varietal. Blend of old and new vintage. Glad that I bought this. I am having it with an excellent vegetarian pizza and is wonderful. — 3 years ago
Sweet and not too strong — 4 years ago
I received a bottle of Rockford as a 40th birthday gift, a wine I wasn’t familiar with at the time. After five years of aging, I opened it in the company of good friends – and what an experience! A rich and well-balanced wine, with intense flavors of berries and plums that really impressed. Wow, a wine that captivates with its harmony and depth. — 5 months ago
Refreshing French Viognier-Sauvignon Blanc blend, served with Moroccan chicken at Bitter End, Wells, ME — 10 months ago
Great with Calamari — 5 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
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. — 17 days ago