Ron Siegel

9.3

Showing lots of dark fruits, smoke, meat, savory spice, mineral & violets. — 11 hours ago

Joe DAscoli

9.3

Dense and tannic. Needs some time to open up with air.

Fruit is hiding. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A lovely blend from Priorat of around 50/50 Garnacha and Carinena, sometimes with a little Merlot included in some years. A red and black fruited palate with ripe blackcurrant. Opulent. I have a previous Delectable note for this wine - 77? Weeks ago. Reinforces my love of Priorat and Garnacha in particular. From the producer’s oldest vines - approximately 110 years. The 14.5% Alcohol does not show at all. — 2 months ago

Vasudev Vadlamudi

8.9

Better on the second day — 2 months ago

Ericsson

9.4

See previous notes. Wine is peaking with tertiary notes on the nose and palate; some ripe berries, leather and even game blood. Cheers. — a month ago

Shay A

9.2

I initially expected more based on vintage + producer, but also have to keep context in focus that this is Crozes-hermitage.

Followed over two days and very little changed.

I’m surprised at saying that after 48hrs for a C-H…I think this is in a weird phase/shut down. Powerful/heady aromatics (black fruits, olive, espresso). ABV pokes out a bit up front. Good mid-palate weight with peppered dark fruits, herbs and some iron before a curtain of tannin shuts this down hard. Undeniably Syrah at the finish with a rusticity I normally find in Cornas…dark florals, spice, graphite and some charcoal. A serious and structured C-H. — a month ago

Joe Flo

9.9

Dr. Crane dinner tasting — 2 months ago

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. — a month ago

David White

9.3

Deep Ruby with slightly lighter ruby edge nose and palate of dark cherry flavours with some vanilla and tobacco flavours
Still maturing but will last a long time.
Great accompaniment to a NY cut steak. Should further mature for a decade or more.

— 2 months ago

James Everhart

9.3

Did not expect a basic chablis to be so full-bodied yet balanced. It was a perfect match for roasted chicken with a tarragon mustard slurry. Purchase for $25 in March 2022. — 2 months ago