Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2019 vintage. Previously known as Château Capbern Gasqueton, but after the death of the last Gasqueton, the estate was sold (together with Calon-Ségur) to the French insurance company Suravenir. This 2019 Saint-Estèphe features a dark red colour with a purplish rim and an attractive perfume of blackberry, cassis , slightly smoked cedar wood and a hint of pepper. Concentrated layered black fruit,with fresh acidity that perfectly balances the surprisingly high alcohol (15% abv.). Terrific value at around 20 euros. — 4 years ago

Benoit Duhamel

9.3

Très jeune, trop jeune... j’adore le Beaucastel vieilles vignes. Celui-ci ne fait pas exception. Le vin est pataud, riche, pas d’acidité, mais la texture en bouche est splendide et la finale ultra longue. À ce stade le vin est un peu sur les agrumes, les fleurs mais principalement sur le miel. Super match avec du comté ! — 5 years ago

S

9.4

Amazing wine — 6 years ago

Evelina Kraft

10

Oakiness without oak. From Piemonte, a rich and flavorfull wine. Smells of Comté and Gruyere cheese, would love this with some goat cheese and fig marmalade! — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Champagne Paul Bara, Bouzy – Special Club Grand Cru, Reims, 2005

Overview
A standout grower Champagne from Bouzy, carrying the prestige of the Special Club designation and the depth of a Grand Cru. Crafted with meticulous care, this cuvée rested over 36 months on the lees before disgorgement, bringing a richness and complexity worthy of the vintage.

Aromas & Flavors
The nose is expressive with layers of baked brioche, toasted hazelnut, and almond cream, underpinned by ripe orchard fruits and subtle citrus zest. On the palate, it delivers a beautifully yeasty core, with flavors of apple tart, quince, lemon curd, and a touch of honey. Mineral edges and a faint chalky salinity keep the richness in perfect check.

Mouthfeel
Elegant yet powerful. The mousse is fine and persistent, coating the palate with creamy texture while the acidity provides both lift and tension. The lees aging shows in the roundness and savory depth, giving a long and polished finish.

Food Pairing
Perfect with seared scallops, lobster in beurre blanc, or a simple truffle risotto. Its balance of richness and freshness also makes it a stunning partner for aged Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Verdict
An impressive expression of both terroir and time in cellar. Champagne Paul Bara’s Special Club 2005 shows off why Grand Cru Bouzy fruit, combined with extended lees aging, creates a Champagne of immense character and grace. A bottle that commands attention at the table, while rewarding patience and appreciation. Cheers! — 8 years ago

Alex Weiss Hills

9.0

Dry, very very light hints of fresh strawberries. Perfect with a spicy meal. — 9 years ago

with Samantha

Hiroshi Tominaga

9.1

Easy to drink. Black cherry with a hint of spice. Bought at Mitsukoshi for ¥4,500. — 4 years ago

Stuart Pollack

8.9

Wait one hour after opening to consume. Otherwise, the wine will be tasteless. Once it breathes , it opens up into a creamy, nutty, and minerally wine that is quite good. It went very well with Comté cheese. — 5 years ago

Rob Kiley

9.5

Waxy, oxidative, acid is in full effect. Comté pairing was heaven. This is..hard to explain — 6 years ago

Nico

9.3

Full bodied, nose of very ripe fruit. Fairly acidic, not too oaky, still get hints of leather. Great with steaks, and even better with cheese (comté, taleggio). — 7 years ago

Martin Bergo

9.1

This wine is from NW Spain, just E of Rias Baixas, made predominantly of hand-picked mencia grapes of >50-year-old vines. The color is light purple with a brick tinge; nose is full and round with dark berries, a flinty salinity, mediterranean spices, and a hint of cabernet-like pyrazines; taste is also round with mild small tannins and medium alc. and acidity, dark fruits, no hint of new oak, and a pleasant elegant finish. Paired with spanish hams, dried pata negra filé, and French Beaufort ”gruyere-comté”-type cheese from the milk of high-altitude grazing cows. Yum! — 8 years ago

Jordan Franceschini

9.0

I appreciate this wine for how naked it is. — 9 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.0

Good structure for a value second label from Calon-Ségur. Good fruit. Blackberry, smoke, and graphite. Some tannins so a short decant is ideal. — 9 years ago

Nick Loewen

9.6

Really good. Perfect for the patio and friends — 5 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2010. Beautiful colour with brown rim, still red fruits in smell, velvety taste with impressions of truffle. Paired with grilled Tunafish (did not work) and Comté cheese (perfect). — 5 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.6

Vintage 2009 | Infanticide. Very intens smell, smell of a textiles factory, soft touch, great balance, all kind of nuts, for me one of the greatest French wines. Paired with 24 months Comté. — 5 years ago

Christian Alexander Møller Bach

9.5

Deep, viscuous with a lactic almost blue cheesy edge and enough energy to light up a medium sized Danish suburb. — 7 years ago

Beth Pfenning

10

Paired well with Comté — 8 years ago

Emma Höök

9.2

Mjölkig härlig, syra, fetare frukt, Jura-lik — 8 years ago

Steve Schreiber

9.0

Very drinkable and pleasing. — 9 years ago