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 day ago

Norman

9.3

WhiskeyFest SF 2022 - High West Tasting. The ambassador did a nice job. Great information about the barrel making process. — 3 years ago

Jeff Clement

9.5

Joined club after tasting visit on our west coast trip w Laneville’s. Fun tasting room in warehouse district outside Seattle. Really enjoyed this blend as part of first shipment — 4 years ago

Mark S.

9.2

Garnet transparent. Oak. Cherry, raisin, leather, spices, licorice. Tannic, acidic at initial. One hour, getting smoother. But lots of tannin. 2nd day, much better!! 3rd day, tannin is better than before. 4th day, still good. Quite robust and powerful. It should be good 10 years later to wait for tannins’ melt. Isole e Olena,Cepparello Toscana IGT 15 @2950, wine plus - Ambassador, 240604 — a year ago

Ryan Rek

9.7

Bought at Ambassador. Yellow wax top — 2 years ago

Norman

9.2

WhiskeyFest SF 2022 - High West Tasting. The ambassador did a nice job. Great information about the barrel making process. — 3 years ago

Mark Stephany

10

Ambassador purchase

One of the best chardonnays I’ve ever had

— 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Pear and apple notes on nose and palate - a touch of ginger. M+ intensity on the medium bodied palate - low acid. Coincidentally, last night I was at the Yalumba dinner at the Downs Club and sitting near Louisa Rose, ex winemaker and now Ambassador for Yalumba. Nobody in Australia would know more about the Viognier grape than Louisa. Yalumba pioneered its use and “The Virgilius” would be the leading example in Australia but this Clonakilla is also outstanding. — a year ago

Ericsson

9.5

History in a bottle from the wine ambassador himself. Very integrated Cab, balanced, round, with layers of complexity. Cheers. — 2 years ago

Paul K

9.1

Favorite of the tasting ambassador, but not quite mine. — 3 years ago