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. — 9 months ago

Michael Brown

9.0

Earthy with notes of herbs and stone. — 4 years ago

Nate Bowser

8.9

Picked this up a few months ago from the state store when I saw Louis Dressner. Seems different from the only other fleurie I’ve had. Lots of earth juice with raspberry. — 5 years ago

Greg Helmer

8.9

Very light floral aroma followed with crisp citrus and grassy flavors. Slightly Marlboro New Zealand flavors but not so unsettling. — 7 years ago

Peter Martin

9.3

Integrated red fruit with racy backend. — 8 years ago

Michael Seely

9.0

Held up well. — 9 years ago

with Joe

Roastmaster General

8.9

Strawberry fields 4evah. Jean Paul Brun ain't nothing 2 fuck with — 10 years ago

Shana Wall

9.6

Tart Dark Fruit, Smokey, Salty, Damp Earth, just the right touch of Barnyard, Herbal-Sage, Thyme, Tomato Leaf... Very well balanced. Masculine, but with a touch of femininity... (Like a well-groomed Man!) Held up beautifully the 2nd day too👍👍👍👏👏👏 #DomaineDeSaintPierre #Cornas #2009 #PaulJabouletAine — 11 years ago

Lori Sullivan

8.9

Raspberry, ripe strawberry, black cherry and leather. Awesome with barbecue. — 11 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.1

Very young. Still somewhat unstructured and tannins that need to mellow. But good potential. — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2013 vintage. The second wine of La Chapelle, that is now named " Maison Bleue", but an excellent wine in its own right. At 9 years old this is absolutely gorgeous with an expressive nose of blackberries, wild flowers, pepper and leather, enhanced by a subtle smokiness. In the mouth it combines power with elegance, with pure fruit, subtle spices, silky tannins and great length. Terrific value if the mythical La Chappelle doesn't fit your budget. Abv. 13,5% — 3 years ago

Alexander Vadas

9.5

Brimming with tension and depth. Crystalline and zest freshness. — 5 years ago

with Michael

Kimberly Anderson

9.3

Fantastic BTK — 5 years ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.0

Always a fav producer — 7 years ago

Emily Anderson

9.1

#bojo fresh fruity yum — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

This is a very good & fun Cremant. Perfect for summer and only around 8 degrees alcohol. — 10 years ago

Robert Knowles

9.5

In a great place, really delicious right now. — 10 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.3

Faintly sweet, cranberry and raspberry with wet chalkboard mineral notes. — 10 years ago

Ron Siegel

8.9

Earth, sweet strawberry, floral, leather, clove, acid keeps it fresh tasting, light in texture. I would drink up — 11 years ago

Brad Jensen

9.2

Beautiful way to start our celebration for Tiva’s birthday! — 2 years ago

Loren Gesinsky

9.3

Secondary notes like black tea are becoming more pronounced, which I enjoy. It’s a different wine than when we first tried it soon after release at the winery. Both are really impressive. — 3 years ago

Charles York

9.1

Honeysuckle. White flower. Citrus notes. Nicely made. — 4 years ago

Michael Phillips

9.2

Nice fruit and balance. Pleasant but undistinguished wine. — 5 years ago

Patricia Schnitzer

9.4

Oct 23, 2020. Celebrating champagne day. This ones a winner! 70% Pinot noir, 30% Chardonnay. Tart green apple. So good! — 5 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.3

As pinot noir goes this is a fairly full-bodied wine with both red and black fruit character and very appealing herbal and forest floor qualities. Tasted alongside the 2015 Hyde Vineyard bottling this one has a bit more acidity and structure though both are equally appealing. — 7 years ago

Howard

9.4

Beautifully crisp with green apple and honeysuckle. — 9 years ago

with Sharon

Chris Hyde

9.1

Out of Magnum. Serious aging potential.. — 10 years ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

8.9

On the brighter red, crunchier side of CdP. Tasty, but maybe missing some complexity and polish. Probably more interesting in a few years. — 10 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Minerals. Like! — 11 years ago

Nicole Daniel

9.5

2012 vintage. Wonderful. — 11 years ago