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 (March 2023) is based on the 2017 vintage (50 %) with 50 % vin de reserve and a Brut dosage of 7 g/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 (March 2023) is based on the 2019 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, as it so often is. Rich and resonant in feel, with plenty of driving acid, the Grand Rosé is wonderfully vivid from start to finish. Cranberry, white pepper, mint, crushed rocks and slate abound. This taut, Pinot-driven NV Rosé is impossible to resist. Disgorged: November, 2022. Drink 2023-2030.’ 91 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2023.

’The NV Brut Grand Rosé is impeccable. Bright, focused and vibrant in the glass, with terrific energy, the Grand Rosé is a delight. Hints of grapefruit, orange peel, white pepper, mint and slate give this finely cut, chiseled Rosé a good deal of character. Readers will find a versatile, delicious Rosé that is all charm. Disgorged: February 2024. Drink 2024-2030.’ 90 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2024.

'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.

‘Bara's 2014 Grand Millésime is wonderfully complex and nuanced right out of the glass. Dried cherry, herbs, crushed flower and mint lend tons of savory complexity. There's terrific energy but also a good bit of complexity running through this understated, precise Champagne. The 2014 is not an immediate wine by any means, but it will delight readers looking for something with real character. Disgorged: January, 2022. Drink 2022-2030.’ 94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2022.

Grand Millesime Brut Champagne 2018 - due late 2025
90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay. Produced only in the very best years from vines averaging 35 years age. Aged 6 years on lees and finished with a dosage of 7g/l.

‘The 2018 Brut Grand Millésime is very fine. Aromatic and light in body, the 2018 is a typical, gracious wine for the year. Dried pear, crushed flowers, chamomile, mint and tangerine oil are nicely lifted in this understated yet classy offering from Bara. Disgorged: February 2024. Drink 2024-2032.’ 92 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2024.

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.

‘The 2015 Special Club is one of the more powerful, vinous Champagnes in this range. It offers up a beguiling mix of orchard fruit, white flowers, chalk, mint and white all backed by considerable volume and substance. Another year or two in bottle should help this find even better balance. It's a fine 2015. Disgorged: February, 2021 Drink 2022-2030.’ 94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2022.

Special Club Rose 2018 - due late 2025
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 2024) and finished with a dosage of 7g/l. Shows fabulous perfume and complexity with the finesse and structure of the rich 2018 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.

‘The 2012 Comtesse Marie de France is wonderfully exuberant from the very first taste. Kirsch, lemon confit, white flowers, chalk and mint all grace this exquisite, translucent Champagne. The purity of the flavors is just striking, as is the wine's overall balance. It's all precision and class here. Drink 2022-2032.' 95 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2022.

Comtesse Marie de France Grand Cru Brut Champagne 2014 - due late 2025
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.

The highlight in this range, the 2014 Brut Comtesse Marie de France is super-expressive right out of the gate. The purest essence of Bouzy Pinot Noir is on display. Pear, lemon confit, tangerine oil, spice and lightly honeyed notes are beautifully delineated. Brisk acids punctuate the finale. Dosage is 6.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: February 2024. 94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2024.

Annonciade 2008 (very limited)
70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. The Annonciade bottling pays homage to an ancestor of the Bara family. In 1833, Annonciade Robert, 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.

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 Robert, 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.

The 2007 Annonciade is a bit of an outlier in this range, as it shows quite a bit of oak influence. Dried flowers, almond, dried pear, honey and chamomile add layers of complexity. The gently oxidative style works nicely. drink 2022 - 2029. 92 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, November 2022.

Bouzy rouge 2015 - 2018 due late 2025
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.