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Paul Bara 'Grand Rosé' Brut Grand Cru, Bouzy, Champagne, France NV
Regular price
$85.00
Pickup available at DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
Usually ready in 1 hour
A seventh-generation grower Champagne house established in 1833, Paul Bara has become synonymous with the Grand Cru village of Bouzy in the Montagne de Reims. Now managed by Chantale Bara alongside director Stéphanie Ducloux, the estate has maintained its artisanal character while steadfastly protecting 11 hectares of some of the most coveted vineyard sites in Champagne. As one of the rare récoltants-manipulants, Paul Bara grows its own grapes and crafts Champagnes that embody the full-bodied, fruity character of Bouzy's warm south-facing slopes while achieving remarkable refinement and balance.
- WINEMAKER: Chantale Bara (6th generation) and Stéphanie Ducloux (Director since 2021)
- FARMING: Certified Haute Valeur Environnementale Level 3 (HVE3) and Viticulture Durable en Champagne (VDC) as of 2020. All vineyards are hand-weeded with no chemical herbicides or insecticides. Natural cover cropping between vine rows to preserve biodiversity and soil health.
- VARIETY: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, with 10-12% Bouzy Rouge (still red wine from the estate's Pinot Noir) added for color and complexity
- TERROIR: Bouzy, 100% Grand Cru in the Montagne de Reims. The estate's 11 hectares are divided into 33 parcels, with 9.5 hectares of Pinot Noir planted on the top and middle slopes and 1.5 hectares of Chardonnay on lower slopes closer to the village. Full southern exposure provides optimal ripening conditions. The deep chalky subsoil drains excess water while imparting intense mineral complexity and expression to the wines. Average vine age is 35 years.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed in traditional Coquard presses. Only the first pressing (cuvée) is used. Each parcel is vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The rosé is crafted using a unique combination of both direct press and saignée juice from Pinot Noir, blended with a small portion of the estate's renowned Bouzy Rouge still wine. No malolactic fermentation. Up to 50% reserve wines are incorporated into the blend.
- AGING: Approximately 4 years on lees in bottle before disgorgement. Dosage of 7 g/L.
- TASTING NOTES: Pale salmon pink with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose reveals vibrant aromas of wild strawberries, raspberries, and red cherries, complemented by rose petals, orange peel, and hints of brioche. A subtle peppery touch and emerging ginger-cake spice add complexity. On the palate, the wine is bright and punchy with excellent depth and volume. Cranberry and red fruit flavors are lifted by tangy malic acidity and underscored by chalky minerality. The texture is simultaneously creamy and lively, with fine tannin structure providing grip. The finish is long and harmonious, with persistent aromatic intensity.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Elegant enough to serve as an aperitif yet possessing serious depth for food pairing. Excellent with scallops, shrimp, gravalax, salmon preparations, sushi, meat carpaccio, roasted poultry, pork chops or tenderloin, and hearty vegetable dishes.
- SCORES:
-
- 92 points - VINOUS, Antonio Galloni (November 2020)
- 91 points - VINOUS, Antonio Galloni (November 2022)
- 94 points - Tyson Stelzer, The Champagne Guide (2020-2021)
- 94 points - John Gilman, View From The Cellar
- 92 points - JAMES SUCKLING
- 91 points - Essi Avellan, MW (February 2023)
- 91 points - Sarah Mayo, The Wine Independent (November 2023)
- Gold Medal - DECANTER World Wine Awards 2020
Regular price
$85.00
A seventh-generation grower Champagne house established in 1833, Paul Bara has become synonymous with the Grand Cru village of Bouzy in the Montagne de Reims. Now managed by Chantale Bara alongside director Stéphanie Ducloux, the estate has maintained its artisanal character while steadfastly protecting 11 hectares of some of the most coveted vineyard sites in Champagne. As one of the rare récoltants-manipulants, Paul Bara grows its own grapes and crafts Champagnes that embody the full-bodied, fruity character of Bouzy's warm south-facing slopes while achieving remarkable refinement and balance.
- WINEMAKER: Chantale Bara (6th generation) and Stéphanie Ducloux (Director since 2021)
- FARMING: Certified Haute Valeur Environnementale Level 3 (HVE3) and Viticulture Durable en Champagne (VDC) as of 2020. All vineyards are hand-weeded with no chemical herbicides or insecticides. Natural cover cropping between vine rows to preserve biodiversity and soil health.
- VARIETY: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, with 10-12% Bouzy Rouge (still red wine from the estate's Pinot Noir) added for color and complexity
- TERROIR: Bouzy, 100% Grand Cru in the Montagne de Reims. The estate's 11 hectares are divided into 33 parcels, with 9.5 hectares of Pinot Noir planted on the top and middle slopes and 1.5 hectares of Chardonnay on lower slopes closer to the village. Full southern exposure provides optimal ripening conditions. The deep chalky subsoil drains excess water while imparting intense mineral complexity and expression to the wines. Average vine age is 35 years.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed in traditional Coquard presses. Only the first pressing (cuvée) is used. Each parcel is vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The rosé is crafted using a unique combination of both direct press and saignée juice from Pinot Noir, blended with a small portion of the estate's renowned Bouzy Rouge still wine. No malolactic fermentation. Up to 50% reserve wines are incorporated into the blend.
- AGING: Approximately 4 years on lees in bottle before disgorgement. Dosage of 7 g/L.
- TASTING NOTES: Pale salmon pink with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose reveals vibrant aromas of wild strawberries, raspberries, and red cherries, complemented by rose petals, orange peel, and hints of brioche. A subtle peppery touch and emerging ginger-cake spice add complexity. On the palate, the wine is bright and punchy with excellent depth and volume. Cranberry and red fruit flavors are lifted by tangy malic acidity and underscored by chalky minerality. The texture is simultaneously creamy and lively, with fine tannin structure providing grip. The finish is long and harmonious, with persistent aromatic intensity.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Elegant enough to serve as an aperitif yet possessing serious depth for food pairing. Excellent with scallops, shrimp, gravalax, salmon preparations, sushi, meat carpaccio, roasted poultry, pork chops or tenderloin, and hearty vegetable dishes.
- SCORES:
-
- 92 points - VINOUS, Antonio Galloni (November 2020)
- 91 points - VINOUS, Antonio Galloni (November 2022)
- 94 points - Tyson Stelzer, The Champagne Guide (2020-2021)
- 94 points - John Gilman, View From The Cellar
- 92 points - JAMES SUCKLING
- 91 points - Essi Avellan, MW (February 2023)
- 91 points - Sarah Mayo, The Wine Independent (November 2023)
- Gold Medal - DECANTER World Wine Awards 2020