2001 Raveneau Chablis Valmur - 3 at $263.95

 

Raveneau's 2002 Chablis Valmur is magnificent. Loads of earth tones, apples, flint, and white peaches are found in its boisterous aromatics. My notes read "an essence of perfectly ripened Chablis grape skins". Seashells, minerals, flint, copious spices, pears, and apples are intertwined in its complex core of fruit. This full-bodied wine wows the taster with its concentration, depth, awesomely supple texture, as well as by its huge length. Projected maturity: 2008-2020. - PR

 

2004 Raveneau Chablis les Clos - 4 at $451.95

2004 Raveneau Chablis Montee de Tonnerre - 18 at $161.95

2005 Raveneau Chablis Blanchots - 24 at $290.95

2005 Raveneau Chablis La Foret - 3 at $176.95

2005 Raveneau Chablis Montmains - 3 at $176.95

2005 Raveneau Chablis Montee de Tonnerre - 40 at $142.95

2005 Raveneau Chablis Butteaux - 120 at $136.95

2005 Raveneau Chablis Valmur - 12 at $278.95

 

Raveneau's 2006 Chablis Les Clos offers a mysterious profusion of floral, nobly fungal, and mineral aromas. Gripping phenolics and tactile mineral intensity - chalk, tangerine and grapefruit zest, white pepper - are imbedded in a lusciously rich yet fresh white peach and citrus matrix so vivid I almost expected to find pulp in the bottom of my glass. In its elegant, shimmering interplay of mineral and fruit dimensions and scintillating, bitter-sweet floral perfume, and nut oils - all allied to tactile grip - this reminds me also of a great Riesling or Gruner Veltliner from the Wachau's Achleiten. But the specific manifestations of fruit, flowers, and minerals here could only be realized in Chablis. The empty glass is mesmerizing, almost magic.- DS

 

Raveneau's 2006 Chablis Butteaux signals exotic ripeness from the first whiff of pear drops and lychee. Lush, rich fruit follows on the palate, but with chalk, iodine, and wood smoke adding counterpoint and pulling one's attention toward the particularly strong mineral dimension that is inherent in this site. Finishing with real grip, this promises a decade's worth of fascinating evolution. - DS

 

Raveneau's 2006 Chablis Blanchots - from some of the estate's oldest vines - represents a jump in quality, and not just on account of its expected richness, but also for its clarity, satiny textural allure, flavor diversity, and sheer concentration. Brown-spiced apple, apricot, toasted nuts, meat stock, and tactile chalky minerality mingle in a complex colloquy, and for all of this wine's opulence, the persistence of mineral dimensions it exhibits is extraordinary. I would expect this to reward at least 10-12 year's aging. - DS

 

Juicy, generous citricity is also a feature of Raveneau's 2006 Chablis Montmains, but here we have more serious suggestions of chalk and savory umami, mineral character; a texture more silken than creamy; and a brightly citric, pungent, zesty, faintly peppery length. This dynamic cru should be worth following for 7-9 years at least. - DS

 

From vines averaging 40 years of age, the Raveneau 2006 Chablis Montee de Tonerre features ripe pineapple, lychee, grapefruit, and brown spices; piquant, pithy, yet deeply sweet nuttiness; an almost tactile sense of chalk dust; formidable sheer density; and a brothy richness that can only be compared with a bone-rich meat stock reduction. It finishes with citric brightness, richness of fruit, and profundity of minerality, and should reward up to 10-12 years of cellaring.-DS