2012 Paul Bara Comtesse Marie de France – 95 Points Vinous | Champagne

95 POINTS ANTONIO GALLONI – VINOUS! 92 POINTS GAULT&MILLAU! 100% BOUZY GRAND CRU PINOT NOIR! NINE YEARS ON LEES! JUST 6,000 BOTTLES! THE EXTRAORDINARY 2012 PAUL BARA COMTESSE MARIE DE FRANCE – ONE OF CHAMPAGNE'S GREAT PRESTIGE BLANC DE NOIRS FOR $372!

95 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

2012 Paul Bara Comtesse Marie de France Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs – Champagne, France

RRP $372 per bottle

NOW THIS IS SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL!

There are great grower Champagnes.

There are magnificent vintage Champagnes.

And then there are wines that represent the absolute pinnacle of what a historic family estate can produce from its greatest vineyards.

THE 2012 PAUL BARA COMTESSE MARIE DE FRANCE BELONGS FIRMLY IN THAT FINAL CATEGORY!

This is one of the most prestigious Champagnes produced by Paul Bara.

Made only in exceptional Pinot Noir vintages.

From one of the greatest Grand Cru villages in Champagne.

And produced in remarkably small quantities.

The details are extraordinary.

95 POINTS ANTONIO GALLONI – VINOUS!

92 POINTS GAULT&MILLAU!

100% PINOT NOIR!

100% BOUZY GRAND CRU!

OLD VINES APPROXIMATELY 55–60 YEARS OF AGE!

PRIZED MID-SLOPE VINEYARD POSITION!

NINE YEARS ON LEES!

DISGORGED APRIL 2022!

JUST 6 g/L DOSAGE!

APPROXIMATELY 6,000 BOTTLES PRODUCED!

THE OUTSTANDING 2012 VINTAGE!

RRP $372!

Think ripe yellow peaches.

Wild cherries.

Fresh pears.

Candied lemon.

White flowers.

Honeyed pastry.

Toasted almonds.

Delicate mint.

And an extraordinary chalky mineral finish.

This is Champagne with remarkable depth.

Extraordinary purity.

Magnificent texture.

And the sort of length and complexity that separates truly great vintage Champagne from the ordinary.

NINE YEARS OF PATIENT CELLAR MATURATION. 100% GRAND CRU PINOT NOIR. ONE EXTRAORDINARY CHAMPAGNE!

Champagne Paul Bara – A Historic Family Estate Dating Back to 1833

The story of Champagne Paul Bara begins in Bouzy.

And the Bara family's roots in this extraordinary Grand Cru village date back to 1833.

For generations, the family has dedicated itself to growing Pinot Noir on some of the most celebrated slopes of the Montagne de Reims.

Over time, Paul Bara became one of the great names associated with Bouzy.

A producer renowned for rich, structured Champagnes with extraordinary fruit concentration.

But also remarkable freshness and finesse.

Paul Bara himself was deeply connected to the village.

Not simply as a Champagne producer.

But also as a passionate historian of Bouzy and its winemaking heritage.

Today, the estate continues under the stewardship of Chantale Bara and the family team.

The vineyards extend across approximately 11 hectares.

And Pinot Noir remains the defining grape variety.

The philosophy is simple.

Exceptional vineyards.

Beautifully ripe fruit.

Traditional winemaking.

And patient maturation.

But within the Paul Bara range, there are wines that stand above the rest.

COMTESSE MARIE DE FRANCE IS ONE OF THEM!

A prestige cuvée that represents the extraordinary potential of Bouzy Grand Cru Pinot Noir.

NEARLY TWO CENTURIES OF FAMILY HISTORY – AND ONE OF THE ESTATE'S MOST CELEBRATED CHAMPAGNES!

Bouzy Grand Cru – One of the World's Greatest Pinot Noir Villages

Now here's the first thing that makes this Champagne so special.

100% BOUZY GRAND CRU!

Every grape comes from one of Champagne's greatest Pinot Noir terroirs.

Bouzy occupies an exceptional position on the Montagne de Reims.

Its vineyards benefit from favourable exposures.

Beautiful ripening conditions.

And the extraordinary chalk-rich soils that help define the finest Champagnes.

The combination is remarkable.

Pinot Noir achieves wonderful ripeness.

But retains the acidity and structure necessary for exceptional Champagne.

The resulting wines possess depth.

Concentration.

And beautiful fruit richness.

Yet beneath that generosity lies freshness.

Mineral precision.

And remarkable elegance.

This is what makes Bouzy so extraordinary.

It can produce powerful Pinot Noir.

But also some of Champagne's most refined wines.

BOUZY GRAND CRU – THE POWER OF PINOT NOIR WITH THE FINESSE OF GREAT CHAMPAGNE!

100% Pinot Noir – The Purity of Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs

Now here's one of the defining features of Comtesse Marie de France.

100% PINOT NOIR!

Not a drop of Chardonnay.

Not a drop of Meunier.

Just Pinot Noir from Bouzy Grand Cru.

This is the essence of Blanc de Noirs Champagne.

A white Champagne made entirely from dark-skinned grapes.

The fruit is carefully pressed to extract the juice while limiting colour extraction.

And the result is extraordinary.

The richness of Pinot Noir.

The structure of Pinot Noir.

And the wonderful red-fruit character of Pinot Noir.

But expressed with the freshness and elegance of white Champagne.

Think wild cherries.

Ripe apples.

Yellow peaches.

And delicate spice.

All supported by a beautiful mineral structure.

100% GRAND CRU PINOT NOIR – ONE OF THE PUREST EXPRESSIONS OF BOUZY IMAGINABLE!

Old Vines – Approximately 55 to 60 Years of Age

Now here's another detail that makes this wine particularly exciting.

OLD VINES!

The fruit comes from one of the estate's oldest vineyard holdings.

Australian importer information describes vines approximately 55 to 60 years of age.

And that is significant.

Mature vines can develop extensive root systems.

They can produce fruit with wonderful concentration.

And they can express the distinctive character of their vineyard sites.

For a prestige Champagne, this depth is particularly important.

Because the wine needs sufficient structure to support extended maturation.

But also enough freshness to remain beautifully balanced.

These old Bouzy vines provide exactly that combination.

OLD-VINE GRAND CRU PINOT NOIR – EXTRAORDINARY DEPTH AND CONCENTRATION!

Mid-Slope Vineyards – The Heart of Bouzy

Another important distinction is the vineyard position.

The Pinot Noir comes from a prized mid-slope site in Bouzy.

And vineyard position matters enormously in Champagne.

The middle slopes can offer an excellent combination of exposure, drainage and soil depth.

Conditions that help Pinot Noir achieve beautiful ripeness.

While retaining freshness.

And mineral definition.

This balance is particularly important for a wine such as Comtesse Marie de France.

Because the aim is not simply richness.

It is elegance.

Structure.

And the ability to mature for many years.

PRIZED MID-SLOPE GRAND CRU VINEYARDS – THE FOUNDATION OF THIS EXTRAORDINARY CHAMPAGNE!

The 2012 Vintage – One of Champagne's Great Modern Years

Now let's talk about the vintage.

2012!

A year that has become highly regarded among Champagne collectors.

The growing season presented considerable challenges.

But the harvest produced beautifully concentrated fruit.

And in the hands of the best growers, the resulting Champagnes have been extraordinary.

The wines often combine excellent fruit concentration.

Vibrant acidity.

And impressive structure.

For Pinot Noir, the results can be particularly compelling.

Ripe fruit.

Beautiful depth.

And the freshness necessary for extended ageing.

The 2012 Comtesse Marie de France is a magnificent example of these qualities.

A Champagne that combines generous fruit with remarkable precision.

And after nine years on lees, the complexity is extraordinary.

THE GREAT 2012 VINTAGE – WITH THE DEPTH AND STRUCTURE OF BOUZY GRAND CRU PINOT NOIR!

Nine Years on Lees – Extraordinary Patience

Now here's where this Champagne becomes truly exceptional.

NINE YEARS ON LEES!

That is an extraordinary period of maturation.

After the wine undergoes its second fermentation in bottle, it remains in contact with the lees.

And over time, the Champagne develops additional complexity.

Fresh brioche.

Toasted almonds.

Honeyed pastry.

Delicate nougat.

And subtle savoury notes.

The mousse becomes beautifully refined.

The bubbles integrate into the wine.

And the palate develops remarkable depth.

But the great achievement is maintaining freshness.

Because even after nine years of maturation, the 2012 Comtesse Marie de France retains wonderful vitality.

The citrus remains bright.

The fruit remains beautifully defined.

And the mineral finish provides extraordinary length.

NINE YEARS OF PATIENT CELLAR MATURATION – THE COMPLEXITY IS MAGNIFICENT!

Disgorged April 2022 – Beautifully Mature Vintage Champagne

Another important detail is the disgorgement.

APRIL 2022!

This is the disgorgement documented by the Australian importer for the 2012 release.

Disgorgement removes the yeast sediment after the Champagne has completed its lees ageing.

It is one of the final stages before release.

By April 2022, the 2012 Comtesse Marie de France had already spent approximately nine years developing in the estate's cellars.

And since disgorgement, the wine has had further opportunity to evolve in bottle.

Under appropriate storage conditions, this can add another layer of complexity.

Honeyed pastry.

Toasted nuts.

And beautifully mature orchard-fruit characters.

All supported by the remarkable structure of Grand Cru Pinot Noir.

A MATURE PRESTIGE CHAMPAGNE – WITH EXTRAORDINARY DEPTH AND FINESSE!

Just 6 g/L Dosage – Beautifully Restrained Brut Champagne

Now here's another detail that matters.

JUST 6 GRAMS PER LITRE!

That is the dosage documented for the April 2022 disgorgement.

And it is a beautifully restrained level for a prestige Brut Champagne.

Dosage is used after disgorgement to balance the finished wine.

At just 6 g/L, the quality of the fruit remains firmly in the spotlight.

The richness.

The texture.

And the mineral precision of Bouzy.

The Champagne possesses wonderful generosity.

But the finish remains fresh.

Dry.

And beautifully balanced.

JUST 6 g/L DOSAGE – EXTRAORDINARY PURITY AND PRECISION!

Approximately 6,000 Bottles – Remarkably Limited Production

Now here's something else that makes this Champagne particularly special.

APPROXIMATELY 6,000 BOTTLES!

Australian importer information describes production of approximately 500 dozen bottles.

That is just 6,000 bottles.

For a prestige Champagne from one of Bouzy's most historic producers, that is a remarkably small quantity.

And the wine is produced only in the finest Pinot Noir vintages.

This is not a Champagne made to satisfy enormous international markets.

It is a wine made to express the very best of a particular vineyard.

A particular grape variety.

And a particular growing season.

JUST 6,000 BOTTLES – A GENUINELY LIMITED GRAND CRU PRESTIGE CHAMPAGNE!

95 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

95 POINTS VINOUS – AN EXTRAORDINARY ENDORSEMENT OF THIS PRESTIGE GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE!

Yellow Peach, Kirsch, Honeyed Pastry and Extraordinary Chalky Minerality

Now this is where the 2012 Comtesse Marie de France really comes into its own.

In the glass, the Champagne displays a beautiful golden colour.

The bubbles are fine.

And the mousse is wonderfully persistent.

The aromas are extraordinary.

Ripe yellow peaches.

Fresh pears.

Wild cherries.

And candied lemon.

Then come the more complex characters.

White flowers.

Honeyed pastry.

Toasted almonds.

Nougat.

And delicate mint.

On the palate, the wine is wonderfully rich.

But also remarkably refined.

There is extraordinary fruit concentration.

A beautifully silky texture.

And wonderfully integrated acidity.

The nine years on lees provide magnificent complexity.

The old-vine Pinot Noir contributes depth and structure.

And the chalk-rich soils of Bouzy deliver a wonderfully mineral finish.

Long.

Fresh.

Saline.

And beautifully persistent.

A MAGNIFICENT COMBINATION OF MATURITY, POWER, ELEGANCE AND GRAND CRU PRECISION!

A Prestige Champagne for Serious Food

One of the great attractions of mature Blanc de Noirs Champagne is its ability to accompany an entire meal.

And the 2012 Comtesse Marie de France is a magnificent example.

Lobster with Brown Butter

The wine's rich texture complements the sweetness of lobster.

Seared Scallops

Beautiful with the Champagne's generous palate and mineral freshness.

Roast Chicken with Truffle

An extraordinary pairing with the wine's mature, savoury complexity.

Duck Breast

The Pinot Noir character works beautifully with the richness of duck.

Roast Quail

Magnificent with the Champagne's depth and elegance.

Pork Tenderloin

The wine's acidity balances the richness of pork.

Wild Mushroom Risotto

Beautiful with the toasted-nut and savoury characters.

Aged Comté

An exceptional pairing with the Champagne's mature pastry and nutty notes.

Serve at approximately 10–12°C in a proper white-wine glass to appreciate its complexity.

Why We Love This Wine at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we are particularly passionate about grower Champagnes that deliver extraordinary vineyard pedigree.

And the 2012 Paul Bara Comtesse Marie de France is exactly that sort of wine.

First, there is the producer.

A HISTORIC FAMILY-OWNED GROWER CHAMPAGNE ESTATE!

Then there is the vintage.

2012 – ONE OF CHAMPAGNE'S GREAT MODERN YEARS!

Then there is the village.

100% BOUZY GRAND CRU!

Then there is the grape variety.

100% PINOT NOIR!

Then there are the vines.

APPROXIMATELY 55–60 YEARS OLD!

Then there is the maturation.

NINE YEARS ON LEES!

Then there is the production.

APPROXIMATELY 6,000 BOTTLES!

Then come the scores.

95 POINTS VINOUS!

92 POINTS GAULT&MILLAU!

And finally, there is the price.

RRP $372!

For anyone who loves great Pinot Noir, exceptional grower Champagne and wines with wonderful maturity, this is a magnificent choice.

A Champagne with history.

A Champagne with pedigree.

And a wine that demonstrates why Bouzy is one of the most celebrated Pinot Noir villages in the world.

95 POINTS VINOUS. 100% BOUZY GRAND CRU. 100% PINOT NOIR. NINE YEARS ON LEES. APPROXIMATELY 6,000 BOTTLES.

2012 Paul Bara Comtesse Marie de France – an extraordinary prestige Blanc de Noirs from one of Champagne's most historic grower producers.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Paul Bara

• Wine: Comtesse Marie de France Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs

• Vintage: 2012

• Region: Champagne, France

• Village: Bouzy, Montagne de Reims

• Estate History: Family established in Bouzy in 1833

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Vineyard Classification: 100% Grand Cru

• Vineyard Origin: Bouzy

• Vineyard Position: Mid-slope

• Vine Age: Approximately 55–60 years, according to Australian importer information

• Vineyard Area: Approximately 11 hectares across the estate

• Soils: Clay and limestone over chalk

• Production: Traditional-method bottle fermentation

• Lees Ageing: Approximately nine years

• Disgorgement: April 2022 for the documented Australian release

• Dosage: 6 g/L for the April 2022 disgorgement

• Style: Vintage Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne

• Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%

• Production Quantity: Approximately 500 dozen bottles (6,000 bottles)

• Aromas: Yellow peach, kirsch, pear, candied lemon, white flowers, honey and toasted almond

• Palate: Rich and refined, with silky texture, vibrant acidity and a long mineral finish

• Published Critic Scores: 95 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

• RRP: $372 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Lobster, scallops, roast chicken, duck, quail, pork and aged Comté

• Serving Temperature: 10–12°C

• Drinking Window: 2022–2032 according to Vinous, with further development possible under suitable storage conditions