Flavors of mint, licorice, oranges and dried apricots reluctantly make an appearance, but this is a big, structured wine that could still use another few years in bottle. This is Lot 96A, disgorged 10/08. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. Over the years Beaufort has converted his vineyards from conventional to organic and, more recently, biodynamic farming, a process he began after suffering a severe illness in the late 1960s caused by contact with the pesticides and herbicides he was using at the time. Beaufort's approach to winemaking is equally stripped-down and non-interventionalist. This powerhouse was disgorged in October 2009.
Andre Beaufort Brut Millesime Abonnay Grand Cru 1996 750 ml