The Champagne Society – December 2016 Selection: Champagne Paul Bara

Champagne Paul Bara Spécial Club Brut Grand Cru Millésimé 2005

“The Champagnes of Paul Bara and his daughter Chantale are essential references for anyone who wants to enjoy and understand the ripe, dry richness of Bouzy…” – Andrew Jefford, author of The New France

Our Champagne Society selections are remarkable for many reasons but we wanted to offer something truly special for the holidays.

The Club Trésors de Champagne or “Spécial Club of Champagne” comprises 28 grower/producers from the finest areas of the Champagne region, each one recognized for the quality of their work. For a Champagne to be recognized as Spécial Club it may only be made in outstanding vintage years and is also subject to two blind tastings by a selected panel of experts, once at the still wine stage before bottling and again after three years aging in bottle. Only then can the Champagne be offered in the unique bottle which may not be used by anyone except the members of the Club Trésors.

This is the grower Champagne version of the famous Champagne house’s Têtes de Cuvée (their best, most prestigious cuvées) and usually at a fraction of the price.

Author of the book “History of Bouzy,” Paul Bara is a legend of this Cru within the Montagne de Reims zone known for some of the best Pinot Noir in all of Champagne. The key to Bouzy’s inherent greatness lies in its deep, chalky subsoil which imparts intense expression of fruit and great mineral complexity in its Grand Cru wines. Today it is Paul’s eldest daughter Chantale, the seventh generation of winemakers in the family, that manages their 26 acre estate (all within the Grand Cru of Bouzy) maintaining the tradition of utmost quality and terroir-driven wines.

Paul Bara Spécial Club Brut Grand Cru Millésimé 2005 is comprised of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from vines near 40-years-old. With a minimum of five years of aging before disgorgement this wine has developed a profound blend of richness and energy. It is seamless, and somehow simultaneously delicate and powerful with assertive notes of citrus, spice and buttered toast.

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Posted on 2016.11.28 in France, The Champagne Society, Champagne