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 month ago
Blend of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, deep Ruby purple color with aromas of ripe berry fruits, cedar, floral and earthy spice notes. On the palate flavors of blueberry, plums and blackberry with vanilla, licorice, tobacco, espresso and toasty oak notes. Long rich finish on fine ripe tannins, will age very well, can start to drink now, but should wait a decade or more. Very Nice! — 22 days ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Very dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, chocolates, light cedar, earth, herbs, black coffee and licorice.
Full-bodied and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate and fruit forward with plums, cooked cherries, currants, light cedar, herbs, chocolates, earth, coffee, light cola and black pepper.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a beautiful Merlot from Saint Emilion. Elegant and rich. Spicy and entertaining.
Really enjoyed the nose. Complex and interesting. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.
Drinking beautifully now, but not at its peak yet. A great vintage from Saint Emilion, that will continue to age nicely in the next 15 to 20 years. Has good potential to become a 95+ point wine.
Good by itself or with food, and a great sipping wine.
A blend of 83% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in (45% new) French oak barrels for 15 months.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$50 (current vintage). — 2 months ago
Not sure I’ve had any other 2006 Bordeaux but decided to pull this to give it a go at nearly 20 years of age. Nice wine but perhaps not one that justifies the price point. At first quite tight, but after a 5 hour decant this really comes into its own. Lots of leather and dark blue and black fruit. Oak is really only apparent in structure now. Great acid. 13% which is nicely balanced. — 19 days ago
Ron Siegel
This was showing a polished silky mouthfeel with red, mostly black fruits, plum with mocha, graphite, spice box, leather & tobacco — 7 days ago