Joe L.

9.2

Crushable, NV sparkling rose from Tasmania. Pinot noir-forward notes with clean finish and fresh red fruit bouquet. Drank to toast last day of job. — 12 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Medium lemon color, aromas of stone and citrus fruits with floral, honey and mineral notes. On the palate flavors of apple, peach and pear with citrus and floral wrapped in a nutty spice. Medium+ finish, lively acidity, ending with fruit, spice and savory citrus character. 230 cases, good now! — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Mid 20th century fashionable country resort, popular with Hollywood due to 1892 stone Manor House & historic gardens. Blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot, Malbec, rest other Rhone varieties, aged 20 months in 37% new French oak. Dark Ruby, aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and black currant with vanilla oak and earthy notes. Well balanced, fine tannins long finish ending with fruit, espresso notes and sweet spice! Nice now and will drink well over next decade. — 7 months ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

The northern Italian red version of a Golden Retriever-the 30% Barbera, I suspect, adds a sunny brightness to the more soulful, young Nebbiolo. Some Negrette too. Vibrant almost cadmium red color. Fresh rose petals offset by that lipstick red fruit. My house red in previous years. — 2 years ago

Michael

8.9

Pairs well with their pretzel sticks. Very light with hints of white and young green grapes. — 23 days ago

Ted

9.0

Vintage rose sparkler from South Africa. Had this with a thick bone in pork chop. Lovely. — 4 months ago

with Jeni

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. — 7 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

This wine is opulent & mouth-filling, with viscous tearing…

It wears a deep lemon robe & gives effortlessly expressive aromas & flavors of perfectly ripe peach, nectarine, papaya, grilled mango, honeydew, apple blossom, lemon curd, creme brûlée, bergamot, lemongrass, white tea, apricot confiture on buttered toast, cream, nougat, almondine, flint, struck match, & wet stones.

On the palate it’s dry & full-bodied with high alcohol (15.1 % ABV! 👀) and concentrated aromas & flavors & bright acidity to keep it in balance.

It’s positively delicious with a persistent finish & lingering presence. — 2 months ago

with Deked1

Ericsson

9.4

Tasting notes during visit to the winery where absolutely everything is done in-house by hand; preserving centuries old winemaking traditions. In the Tondonia offering one can really appreciate the time and patience dedicated to crafting this wine. The wine evolves to a rustic yet graceful profile with strong notes of dark berries with slight oak and dark chocolate. On the palate the wine is bliss, medium bodied, fully integrated, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

The juice is fermented in old large wooden “tinas,” then transferred to American oak barrels (made in house to medium toast specifications), stored underground in their +100 year old cellars for at least a year. After that it is bottled and stored in the same underground cellars and finally released about ten years later. Learning about their curated winemaking process was inspiring. — 7 months ago

Peter James

9.0

BHM Wine Tasting @ Netflix — 3 years ago