Produced exclusively from 100% Chardonnay, L’Audacieuse is a rare and distinctive Blanc de Blancs from the Grand Cru village of Bouzy in Champagne’s Montagne de Reims. Bouzy is celebrated primarily for its powerful Pinot Noir, making this pure Chardonnay cuvée an especially unusual and daring expression of the village’s terroir.
The Chardonnay comes from the Mont des Tours vineyard, where Bouzy’s predominantly chalky soils provide excellent drainage and contribute freshness, precision and a pronounced mineral character. The name L’Audacieuse, meaning “the audacious one,” reflects the house’s bold decision to produce a Blanc de Blancs from a terroir traditionally associated with Pinot Noir.
The 2016 vintage displays a luminous pale-gold color and a fine, persistent mousse. The expressive bouquet offers aromas of green apple, pear, white peach and fresh citrus, joined by delicate white flowers and chalky minerality. With air, more complex notes of fresh almond, brioche, dried herbs and subtle honey begin to emerge.
On the palate, L’Audacieuse is lively and precise, combining vibrant acidity with an elegant, gently creamy texture. Ripe orchard fruit and citrus are balanced by chalky tension and delicate autolytic complexity. The finish is long, clean and refined, with lingering saline and mineral notes that emphasize the purity of the Chardonnay.
The wine spends approximately eight years aging in bottle before release, allowing its freshness and fruit to develop greater depth, texture and complexity. Finished as an Extra Brut with a very low dosage, it remains dry, focused and beautifully expressive of its Grand Cru origins. Production of the 2016 vintage was extremely limited, with only 3,935 numbered bottles produced.
The Bara family has cultivated vines in Bouzy since the nineteenth century. Today, Champagne Paul Bara farms approximately 11 hectares divided among 33 parcels, all located within the Grand Cru village. The estate combines traditional craftsmanship with sustainable vineyard practices, producing Champagnes known for their structure, elegance and clear expression of Bouzy’s chalk-rich soils.
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Grape: 100% Chardonnay
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Country: France
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Region: Champagne
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Subregion: Montagne de Reims
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Village: Bouzy
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Classification: Grand Cru
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Vineyard: Mont des Tours
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Vintage: 2016
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Style: Vintage Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne
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Aging: Approximately eight years in bottle before release
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Dosage: Extra Brut, approximately 3 grams per liter
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Alcohol: 12.5%
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Production: Only 3,935 numbered bottles
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Serving Temperature: Approximately 48–52°F
Food Pairings: An exceptional aperitif and an elegant partner for oysters, caviar, sashimi, scallops, lobster, grilled prawns, roasted sea bass, citrus-accented poultry, creamy risotto and aged goat cheese.
Paul Bara Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut “L’Audacieuse” Grand Cru 2016
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