Champagne Paul Bara

Located in Bouzy just to the east of Epernay in the Marne Valley, Champagne Paul Bara uses only their own estate grown fruit from 100% Grand cru rated vineyards to craft it’s small range of champagnes.

Their superbly sited vineyard sites have over the years been sought after by many of the top Champagne houses, and while many other producers have been busily expanding, Paul Bara have remained producing the highest quality possible from these same 11 hectares for seven generations. Now managed by Chantal Bara, the beliefs and methods remain true to previous generations, producing very low yields of the best possible grapes from these superb vineyard sites. The great art in the champagnes of Paul Bara remains the same as it always has, it is the stunning purity and depth of 100% Grand cru Bouzy fruit maintained with finesse and balance that is achieved by using such a high percentage of Pinot Noir in the blend.

Whilst the region of Burgundy has enjoyed a huge revival of its fortunes in the past 3 decades as a result of the surge in quality coming from the small growers who are now estate bottling, Champagne is also now seeing a similar surge of interest in small high quality grower champagnes. In Burgundy the best sites for each variety are well researched and have proven their capacity to produce wines of a certain quality level for centuries. Similarly in the Champagne region, the best sites of land are rated and the prices of grapes that can be achieved from those sites will depend on the rating of each site. Bouzy is one of the few villages rated 100% Grand cru and these champagnes come from those superbly sited vineyards.

The non vintage cuvee (which includes about 20% of Chardonnay grapes from Bouzy) is also distinguished by its finesse and delicacy whilst retaining a remarkable smoothness and it is well recognised as being of a quality level that surpasses that of the Grande Marque producers of Champagne without the same lofty prices.

Coming from an area that is well recognised for the very high quality of its Pinot Noir one would expect that the Rose champagne would perform quite strongly as indeed it does. This champagne has the addition of up to 12% of Bouzy red wine to add to its fresh vibrant rose colour and to give an extra dimension of fine fresh red fruits to the delicate perfume. Dosage for all cuvees here is in the range of 7-8 g/l.

‘… marvellous, precise, impeccably well presented Champagnes that are at the top of the qualitative pyramid.’ Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate.

Reserve Brut Champagne NV  375 + 750ml
80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay. The current disgorgement (May 2020) is based on the 2013 vintage (50%) with 50% vin de reserve and a Brut dosage of 7g/l.

'The Paul Bara Brut non-vintage is a terrific bottle of bubbly, with excellent complexity on both the nose and palate and a very elegant and refined mouth feel. On the palate the wine is fullish, crisp and focused, with excellent mid-palate depth, very refined mousse, bright acids and really outstanding length and grip on the complex finish. The Paul Bara is all refined elegance and great intensity of flavor. A truly superb bottle of Brut NV. 2010-2025+.' 92 points, John Gilman, View From The Cellar.

Grand Rose Brut Champagne NV  375 + 750ml
70% Pinot Noir, 18% Chardonnay, 12% Bouzy rouge. The current disgorgement (September 2019) is based on the 2015 vintage (50%) with 50% vin de reserve and a Brut dosage of 7g/l.

'A beautiful rosé that shines with the bright intensity of Bouzy pinot noir and the crystalline definition of salt minerality zapped with tangy malic acidity. A dose of 12% Bouzy rouge lends but a hint of pink to its delicate, pretty, bright straw hue. It’s a wonderful expression of the character of Bouzy translated with detail and finesse, filled with strawberry and cranberry fruits and fragranced with rose petals of lifted, lively character. Fine tannin structure melds with salt minerality to provide grip and structure in unison with tangy and persistent malic acidity. It’s thrillingly primary and enticingly moreish, with just a subtle allusion of ginger-cake spice beginning to appear on a long finish.' 94 points, Tyson Stelzer, The Champagne Guide 2020-2021.

’The NV Brut Grand Rosé is fabulous. Bright and punchy, the Rosé fleshes out beautifully in the mid-palate and into the finish as the Pinot gains volume. The Grand Rosé has enough charm to drink well as an aperitif, but there is serious depth here too. Cranberry, orange peel, dried rose petal and a hint of cinnamon develop over time. The Grand Rosé is simply impeccable from start to finish. More importantly, it is absolutely delicious. Disgorged: December, 2019. Drink 2020-2028.’ 92 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2020.

'A multi vintage blend of 18% Chardonnay, 70% Pinot Noir and 12% Bouzy rouge. The latter is the still red wine of the village Bouzy (famous for its Pinot Noir) and from which this wine takes its colour. Salmon pink appearance, so appealing to the eye. With lacy aromas of blood orange, with a touch of orange zest and red currants, the palate is bursting with small red berry fruits, the red currants again, both combining with rose hip notes throughout a medium length finish. Pair this with gravalax (sugar-cured salmon) on arrival and continue on with salmon fillet main if you like.' Frank Wilden, Business Insider Australia, February 2018.

'Paul Bara’s Grand Rosé is a beautifully made bottle that really shows the high caliber pinot noir that hails from the village of Bouzy. The wine is fairly dark for a Rosé, with a lovely deep salmon color, and offers up a simply stunning bouquet of blood orange, cherries, sourdough bread, complex minerality, gentle smoky notes and a nice touch of citrus peel in the upper register. Stylistically, this is very similar to Dom Perignon Rosé. Simply a great bottle.' 94 points, John Gilman, View From The Cellar.

Grand Millesime Brut Champagne 2014
90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay. Produced only in the very best years from vines averaging 35 years age. Aged 7 years on lees and finished with a dosage of 7g/l.
”Candied apricot, dried flowers, chamomile and spice give the 2014 Brut Grand Millésime a real sense of exoticism that is impossible to miss. Ample and creamy, the 2014 possesses terrific resonance and plenty of depth, all in a style that can be enjoyed with minimal, if any, cellaring. Disgorged: July, 2019.” 92 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2020.

Special Club 2015 (very limited)
Produced according the strict control and charter of the Club Tresors de Champagne, this wonderfully complex champagne is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay and is aged on lees for 6 years (disgorged May 2022) and bottled with 6 g/l dosage.

Special Club Rose 2014 (very limited)
70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, with the addition of 5% Bouzy rouge. Made only in exceptional years from a vineyard with an average age of 35 years and aged on lees for 5 and a half years (disgorged November 2020) and finished with a dosage of 7g/l. Shows fabulous perfume and complexity with the finesse and structure of the outstanding 2014 vintage. A stunning rose that showcases the depth of Bouzy Grand cru.

Comtesse Marie de France Grand Cru Brut Champagne 2012 (very limited)
100% Pinot Noir produced only in the very best years for Pinot Noir with a total production about 500 dozen bottles. This comes from one of their oldest vineyards around 60 years old which is located mid-slope giving perfect roundness and balance. Aged for 9 years on lees (disgorged 04/22) and finished with a Brut dosage of 6g/l. 2012 was a cooler classic Champagne vintage giving finesse and minerality and ageing for 9 years on lees has kept the freshness of lees contact making for a very complete and richly styled champagne. Just released not yet reviewed.

Comtesse Marie de France Grand Cru Brut Champagne 2005 - last bottles
100% Pinot Noir produced only in the very best years for Pinot Noir with a total production about 500 dozen bottles. This comes from one of their oldest vineyards around 55 years old which is located mid-slope giving perfect roundness and balance. Aged for 10 years on lees (disgorged 09/16) and finished with a Brut dosage of 7g/l. 2005 was a warm ripe year giving generosity and volume and ageing for 10 years on lees has kept the freshness of lees contact making for a very complete and richly styled champagne.

Annonciade 2007 (very limited)
70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. The Annonciade bottling pays homage to an ancestor of the Bara family. In 1833, Annonciade, the daughter of a winemaker from Bouzy, married Auguste François Bara, a young cooper from a neighbouring village. Paul Bara Annonciade is aged for 6 months in barrel and then 14 years on lees in bottle for this 2007 vintage (in previous vintages ageing on lees has been 10 years). the 2007 vintage was disgorged in June 2022, and given an Extra Brut dosage of 5g/l. A stunning Champagne of great power and complexity. Just released not yet reviewed.

Annonciade 2005 - SOLD OUT
70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. Paul Bara Annonciade is aged for 6 months in barrel and then 10 years on lees in bottle. the 2005 vintage was disgorged in November 2016, and given an Extra Brut dosage of 5g/l.

‘Fully fermented in oak barrels, Bara’s new cuvée is a salute to cooper Auguste Francois Bara [and his wife, Annonciade], the family’s first ancestor in Bouzy. The inaugural 2004 release was 100% pinot noir, and the powerful 2005 season has been astutely tempered with a dose of chardonnay [30%]. Ricocheting with grand intensity and complexity, the booming black plum, black cherry, fig and grilled pineapple of Bouzy pinot noir rise to meet the coffee bean and dark chocolate of oak fermentation, brought together by the brioche and ginger nut biscuit complexity of long age. It’s spicy and full-bodied, with length and breadth on another plane, yet it holds its poise in spite of such proportions thanks to the blessing of well-balanced malic acidity and all-pervading, fine chalk minerality.’ 95 points, Tyson Stelzer, The Champagne Guide 2020-2021.

’The 2005 Brut Cuvée Annonciade is another gorgeous wine in this range from Bara. For the Annonciade, the estate takes a selection of their best fruit and vinifies it in oak. Warm, toasty notes from the wood complement the natural richness of the Pinot fruit. But more than that, I am impressed with the wine's freshness and impeccable balance, something that is so hard to find in 2005. Red plum, spice, dried flowers and baked apple tart scents leave the final impressions. The 2005 is fabulous, especially within the context of the year. Drink 2020-2030.’ 93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2020.

’The 2005 Brut Grand Cru Annonciade is a very pretty wine in this challenging vintage. Orange zest, spice and dried flowers add shades of nuance to the Pinot fruit. Although a bit slender for a pure Pinot Champagne, the 2005 has terrific freshness, plenty of drive and none of the awkward notes that penalize so many 2005s. I wouldn't push my luck on aging. Even so, this is an impressive and hugely delicious Champagne from Paul Bara. The Annonciade was fermented and aged in barrel. Dosage is 6 grams per liter.’ 93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2018.

Bouzy rouge 2015 - (2012 for 375ml)
100% Pinot Noir still red wine made only in the best vintages from some of the best sites in Bouzy. Paul Bara is the man who wrote the book on Bouzy. The reference wine for Bouzy rouge.
Harvested and sorted by hand from vines more than 50 years old from some of the best exposed sites of the village. Fermented and matured in stainless steel vats with natural malolactic then bottled and aged on cork before release with 5 to 10 years of ageing in their cold deep underground cellars which were hand-hewn into the limestone below the winery in the village.
The following review for 2008 vintage 'A limpid red, a côtes-de-nuits nose, very elegant, a real bouquet of red fruits and smouldering vine prunings. The mouth of this pinot noir is silky, balanced, taut. A fine age-worthy example of un-oaked coteaux champenois from 50 year-old, south-facing vines.' 18/20 points (top-scoring Coteaux Champenois rouge), Jean-Charles Chapuzet, Terre de Vins, May/June 2017.