Jay Kline

9.7

Presented double-blind. The wine appears straw in color with medium viscosity and, apparently, there lots of tiny bubbles so there are signs of gas, LOL. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe orchard fruit, red forest berries, marzipan, lemon curd, fresh brioche. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for an eternity. The texture is ever so creamy. Wow…well, I was drinking something special. Had to be Champagne. Maybe vintage? Maybe a tête de cuvée? The style was similar to Krug. Called Champagne from a producer like Krug. OMG…the 1996 Vintage Brut?! Sheesh…someone was feeling generous! Admitted, I don’t often get to drink vintage Krug (for many hundreds of reasons!) so my experience is obviously limited. However, there’s clearly no question in this being true to house style and, now that I know the vintage, this is showing why 1996 is so special. As others have noted, this is fresher than the 1995 I had some months ago (though, that was very special too) and had greater acid. I would like to think this provides a crystal ball for the 2008 vintage that is sure to follow a similar trajectory. Drinking very fine indeed, right now and should continue to do so through 2046…depending on how you like to drink your Champagne. — 20 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Mid 20th century fashionable country resort, popular with Hollywood due to 1892 stone Manor House & historic gardens. Blend of 81% Cab Sauv, 11% Merlot, 4% 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 black cherry & 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. — 2 years ago

David L

9.4

Stood up for a few days. Sediment was apparent. Slightly tight at first. Needs just a 20 minutes to open up the glass. His 17s are showing quite well in their youth. — 4 years ago

Baltar666

8.9

Zippy, savory funny undertones. Very good! Had at Emily with pizza in NYC. — 4 months ago

Willie Carter

9.6

Youthful but exuberant and already showing itself to be special. An aesthetically pleasing light golden hue with effusive tiny bubbles. Really fun aromas of oak and mint with cigar smoke and a dab of honey. It honestly just keeps getting better and better. Cherries and lychee with plums and dried herbs. This is already off to a good start.

Everything from this house is fantastic year in and year out. Mostly Grand Cru Pinot from Bouzy, this has a bit of Chardonnay added in. Energetic and lively with terrific structure. This has the bones to be super in the future. Based on the glorious year of 2012, it’s already a great wine.

Elegance and explosiveness in the mouth. Purity and freshness for days. A citrus attack to start off with followed by red fruits. Biscuits and cigars on the long, lusty finish. If you’re familiar with Bara champagnes you probably already have this tucked safely away and if you’re not, you should be. — 2 years ago

Dylan Thomas

9.1

Class is in session — 3 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.2

2024/1. I always love this wine and this bottle of the 2020 was a bit more in keeping with my impression of the house style than the last - savory, tangy red fruit, orange peel and earth, though still particularly rich and layered in this iteration — a year ago

Sam Wood

9.0

Pretty dark in the glass-bramble, wild grass and raspberry, wet mahogany beach house outdoor shower. — 2 years ago

Adam Baker

9.7

Raspberry, cherry, hint of spice on the long finish. Still in it’s prime. Cherry lingers. Faint alcohol on finish. Excellent pairing. Drank with pork chop and rice pilaf from Waterfront Grill at dad’s house. — 3 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

My ‘ house’ wine shared w friends & paired with baked Cod & Roquefort sauce, roasted vegetables, & barley. Pretty in color & on the palate: rusted rose hips, some distant forest floor. Medium plus acidity but enough to cut through the Roquefort sauce, & low enough tannins to not spar with the cod. — 3 years ago