Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

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. — a month ago

David Moffat

9.1

Clean, airy, and light; it almost tastes like a savignon blanc, but here in the heat of Brazil tastes can be deceiving. Aged in oak in cool, dark caves after being harvested in the heat, can taste olive, pomegranate, and walnut in this very nice wine. — 5 years ago

Michael Mallon

9.0

A gentle behemoth. Brooding blackberries, blueberries, gravel, black pepper with a savory finish. Well integrated tannins. Naturally, you'll want to give this some air. — 6 years ago

Brad Swick

9.4

Excellent wine, but you have to let it breathe for at least 30 minutes or so. Once you do you’ll enjoy complex, full and long flavor, with a beautiful oaky bite. Earthy and dry, but not overly so. From Wine Insiders. Tasted 2 December 2022. — 2 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.1

What stories do ancient mountains and their caves tell? Stories of beginnings. It’s hard not to be inspired drinking one of the world’s most ancient grape varieties made in one of the places that winemaking began. And when made with such grace, so much the better. Blackberry and licorice, plum and a touch of dark earth, with lingering notes of candied fennel seeds in the finish. Gorgeous acidity and a finely textured skein of tannins. Armenia’s going through a hard time right now. I salute the resilience of her people. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

What to do when the amount of Coronavirus cases keeps increasing in California. Start the night off with a glass of one of our favorite N/V Rosé Champanges.

All my numerous notes still apply!

Stay infection free folks! Cheers! 🍾🥂

Check out the chalk all over their caves!!! — 5 years ago

Josh Lancette

8.9

Pear, lemon, curd, custard, velvety soft in the mouth — 4 years ago

Wendy Williams

9.0

Purchased at South Lyndale Liquors — 4 years ago

Grant Harmsen

8.9

Needs time to open up but evidence of Arinto’s aging potential. Displaying classic notes of oxidized apples, citrus juice and preserved citrus peel. Saline on the finish. — 5 years ago

barak heller hayun

8.9

i asked for a cheaper whitey this time while vacationing.
take this, you will enjoy it, he said.

crisp, citrus oil and some barely ripe stone fruit. hint of bubbles.
very quaffble.

excellent vfm (49 nis).
when 💰is short this will do it elegantly.
and the label is gorgeous. — 6 years ago