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. — 2 months ago

David Nicewicz

9.4

Tapas and Montrachet - is there anything else to say? Lovely full-bodied white burgundy with a nose of stone fruit and citrus. The palate is luscious and full-bodied and a long finish with notes of honey and lemon. Low acidity may deter some people, but I love marsanne so this is definitely in my wheelhouse. — 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Always willing to take a sip of these when they are opened! Nose of young blackberry and black licorice. A little bit of pepper. Very youthful. The entry still has an overt sweetness about it, black fruits, fig, black cherry, licorice and spice. Finishes with a lot of roasted black fruit and tannic quality. For Napa floor fruit, this is right in my wheelhouse for a younger wine. these usually drink a lot better with 10 to 15 years of age, and I would say that is no different in this scenario in such a powerful year. I would give this one at least five years before opening again. — 6 years ago

with Dan and Bradley

Paul J

9.6

1hr+ decant. Maroon color on the pour but darkish red in the glass. Aged Bordeaux on the nose with cedar and floral elements. Palate reflects the same with dark cherries, tobacco, and anise. Medium plus depth and medium finish. Right in my wheelhouse! — a year ago

with Brooke

Billy L.

9.1

Brother-in-law likes Limoux Cremant! This was right in his wheelhouse! Lot’s of Fruit! Cheers 🍾🥂 — 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.4

Playing a little catch up.... Terrific Cab from David Arthur. Opened for dinner tonight. Served pop and pour. The nose on this wine is nice -- roasted black fruits, sweet youthful blackberries and blueberries, spicy. Entry is youthful, powerful full bodied blackberry cassis, allspice, cinnamon, toasted tannin but is actually rather soft not only on the front but all throughout. There was a dried wildflower and herbal character to this one in the middle. Finished with roasted tannins, still quite youthful, loads of black pepper on the finish and a bit punchy yet the wine maintains this elegance about it all at the same time. Diggin' this wine, and it's right in the wheelhouse right now. I think this wine will do well for the next 5 years or so and will probably start the decline. But I don't think this one is going to get much better in the bottle right now, so bottoms up! — 6 years ago

Jon Huang

9.1

Peppery on nose, dark berry jam taste, balanced tannins, very good — 4 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.3

Stellar bottle right here. Deep stewed black and red fruit, violets, campfire, rosemary & thyme, with plenty of barnyard funk, and river rocks. Great structure with grippy tannins on the mid-palate and sturdy acidity that keeps you coming back. Long pure finish. This kind of wine is firmly in my wheelhouse, and really came alive with turmeric baked chicken thighs. — 5 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.2

Big ole beefy bottle. Fancy. Does that mean it’s going to be good? Maybe that it should be aged long? Anyway, pretty cool etched dragonfly on the label. So dark ya can’t look through it in the glass. Smells lovely. Sweet alfalfa blossoms with olives and something musky. Has an herbal side as well. Fenugreek? Fennel? Forests? It’s lovely on the tongue. Savory. Is that bacon? Lamb and prune stew? Or popcorn seasoned with butter, smoked chiles and nutritional yeast? As savory of a red as I’ve every tried. The seasoned pork thing really hits on this. Hint of fruit. Maybe dried plum? Definitely slightly sweet good cured olives. Dark black licorice as well. Drying on the finish. Chewy as Chewbacca’s throaty yelp. If you like big Petite’s and you cannot lie this fits right in your wheelhouse. — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.6

A fitting wine for my 3000th (CT) review. This wine is in the wheelhouse. Nose of black cherry, brambleberry, cola. Entry is full, mature, ripe sweet black cherry and Cherry Coke. The middle has a bit of a smoky character, tobacco leaf, mint, grilled mushroom. The finish showed great acidity and moderate tannins. With hummus, more of the savory side of this wine came out. With a spicy turkey and brie, more of the sweeter side. Full bodied wine from Dyer, and probably one of the best balanced and integrated Diamond Mtn wines I have had in a LONG time. — 6 years ago