Sixth generation Ambonnay Champagne producer using the Récoltant Coopérateur model, with Grand Cru cuvées including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The producer
Benoit Beaufort represents the sixth generation of family winemakers in Ambonnay. He works as a Récoltant Coopérateur, growing grapes and using the Ambonnay Cooperative for vinification. Named bottles include Benoit Beaufort Grand Cru Brut Tradition, Benoit Beaufort Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Benoit Beaufort Grand Cru Rosé Brut and Benoit Beaufort Ambonnay Prestige Grand Cru Brut 2015. Grand Cru Brut Tradition has a Pinot Noir majority, Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut is all Chardonnay, and Ambonnay Prestige Grand Cru Brut 2015 combines the two grapes equally.
Known for
Ambonnay Grand Cru cuvées
Notable facts
Benoit Beaufort represents the sixth generation of family winemakers.
Ambonnay is one of 17 Grand Cru communes among Champagne's 312 communes.
Benoit Beaufort works as a Récoltant Coopérateur, growing grapes and using the Ambonnay Cooperative for vinification.
Benoit Beaufort Grand Cru Brut Tradition received one star from the Guide Hachette.
The story
The 2013 Prestige Rating
The 2013 Ambonnay Prestige received two stars in the 2023 Guide Hachette and was rated vin remarquable, or remarkable wine. The Guide gave it the same rating as the 2012 and 2008 vintages. Some jury members considered awarding the 2013 a coup de cœur, the guide's special commendation, but the final result remained at two stars. The comparison covered three vintages of Ambonnay Prestige: 2013, 2012 and 2008.
From the atlas
Champagne Benoit Beaufort
A Champagne producer in Ambonnay using the Récoltant Coopérateur model, with traditional methods and extended ageing on lees.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Champagne
Home commune
Ambonnay
Classification
Grand Cru commune
Producer type
Récoltant Coopérateur
Family line
Sixth generation of family winemakers
Lees ageing
36 to 72 months, depending on the cuvée
The Producer
Benoit Beaufort grows grapes in Ambonnay and works as a Récoltant Coopérateur. The Ambonnay Cooperative handles vinification, the fermentation and cellar work that turn the harvest into Champagne.
The winemaking approach uses traditional methods and extended ageing on lees. Lees are the yeast cells left after fermentation; keeping sparkling wine on them can make the mousse feel rounder and add a fuller texture.
Place
Ambonnay is one of 17 Grand Cru communes among Champagne's 312 communes. Grand Cru in Champagne is a commune classification, so it marks place status on a label rather than a grape variety. The commune name appears in the Prestige cuvée, while the other named bottles carry Grand Cru without Ambonnay in their wine names.
Wines
Among the named cuvées, Benoit Beaufort Grand Cru Brut Tradition is 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, while Benoit Beaufort Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut is 100% Chardonnay. Tradition carries 7g/L dosage, 40% reserve wine and a 2012 base; Blanc de Blancs carries 8g/L dosage and 28% reserve wine. Benoit Beaufort Grand Cru Rosé Brut is another named bottle in the range.
Dosage is the sugar addition after disgorgement, while reserve wine is older base wine held for blending. The former controls sweetness; the latter adds earlier base wine to the blend.
Benoit Beaufort Ambonnay Prestige Grand Cru Brut 2015 is 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay, with five years of maturation. The cuvée has character and a firm palate, while the Chardonnay brings freshness that suits food. Tradition offers citrus, brioche and hazelnut aromatics, and Blanc de Blancs shows Chardonnay's delicate side.
Final Word
Champagne Benoit Beaufort works in Ambonnay, a Grand Cru commune, and uses the Ambonnay Cooperative for vinification.