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. — 4 months ago

romo

9.2

Earthy and tense with dried leaves and old board game. Life. — 5 months ago

Karen Lowenstein

9.3

This was rich and delicious especially with a tasty steak kabob. — 6 months ago

Mark Eastom

9.0

Cherry/strawberry, fruit roll-up, wild herbs de Provence,, iron, sage, hint of licorice, medium tannin and nice acid. Great wine. 2020 vintage. Couldn’t wait longer to open it with a steak. Hopefully I’ll have more patience next time. :) — 7 months ago

romo

9.2

Even better than the real thing. — 10 months ago

Christian Fischer

9.1

Very young. Still somewhat unstructured and tannins that need to mellow. But good potential. — a year 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. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours and it needed it. The 2017 Bienvenue Bâtard-Montrachet pours a straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, this was initially quite shy but after a couple of hours, the nose exploded into a veritable cornucopia: apples, pineapple, passion fruit, stone fruit, lemon curd, honeysuckle, flint, gentle warm spices and a mix of limestone minerals and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with a chalky texture. A banger. Drink now with patience; better after 2027 and through 2042. — 4 months ago

Pooneet K

9.0

Forgot to take detailed notes, but this was nice. Not really any carbonic / natural / “new agey”notes, just a solid classically made gamay. Definitely has some structure, opened 4 hours before serving which was good. Didn’t sing on any one dimension of fruit / earth / acid / length / texture but was nice overall. — 6 months ago

Victor Charcan

9.2

Impressed by the delicate nose, sour cherries, almond blossom, good volume, freshness, good moment of consumption. — 6 months ago

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. — 8 months ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

2 different bottles of the same wine. One from an East Coast Importer and one from the West. The one from the East Coast Importer was more fresh and expressive. — 2 years 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. — 4 months ago

Vasudev Vadlamudi

8.9

Better on the second day — 4 months ago

Kelley Raymond

8.9

It was fine - decently crowd pleasing — 5 months ago

Kerri

9.1

Delicious, great with meat. — 6 months ago

Adam Kincaid

9.4

Just an incredible 19 year old bottle with plenty of life left but drinking perfect tonight. Inky and dark purple. Raspberries and cherries, but with lots of dark fruit, spices, caramel, and gamey scents that develop more deeply when stirred and sipped. Elegant balance of tannins and fruit. Medium+ body. 5 min or longer finish. Robust but not overwhelming. — 6 months ago

with Jillian

Hayley Sykes

9.1

A delicious birthday wine gifted by the lambertys — 9 months ago

with Kristi and Arika

Christian Fischer

9.1

Nice floral acidity. Very pleasant to drink right now — 10 months ago

with Jonathan

Robert B

9.0

There isn’t a better Cote du Rhone for the price. — 2 years ago