Beaufort 2016 Brut Reserve 1er Cru Hautvillers

A unique and beautiful wine, meant for the cellar as John McIlwain said back in 2021: "The label reads "Ambonnay" but in fact this extraordinary special cuvee of 2016 “Reserve” Brut is from Beaufort vines in the 1er Cru village of Hautvillers located in La Grande Vallée de Marne next door to Cumiéres, home of Vincent Laval. The robe is a pale peachy yellow hue. Fine bead. The effusive nose offers lovely aromas of apple blossom and stone fruit—white peach skin, nectarine, St Anne cherry. The palate is ample, ripe, and generous with gorgeous fruit underlain by a fine stony core and a long, juicy, lingering finish with just a hint of brioche on the back end. Really lovely out of the gate, but with such balance that we are eager to see what a few years in the cellar will do. One of the finest young Champagnes we’ve tasted from Beaufort and a true crowd-pleaser. (John McIlwain 12/21)"