Wine Advisor
Raveneau, Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux 2023
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Kristaps Karklins
Uniting the depth of Forêt with the elegance and energy of Montmains, the 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux is one of the most complete and seamless premiers crus in Raveneau’s range. Based on similar clay-rich soils as Forêt but at a higher altitude, it’s sourced from 55-year-old vines that produce small, concentrated berries. It wafts from the glass with a deep bouquet of grapefruit zest, wheat toast and acacia mingling with oyster shell. Layered and textural but with a tightly wound core, it’s structured around chalky extract and mouthwatering acidity, concluding with a long, saline finish.
About the Producer
Domaine Raveneau is Chablis's finest producer. Jean Raveneau has 7 hectares of vines and produces beautifully crafted wines from three Grands Crus (Blanchot, les Clos and Valmur and four Premiers Crus (Montée de Tonnerres, les Vaillons, Butteaux and Chapelot) All the grapes are hand harvested (one of the very few remaining growers in Chablis to do so) and Jean Marie prefers to pick early rather than late, with the aim of preserving the grapes' acidities. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel vats and the wine are then aged in large oak feuilletes (the barrels have an average age of 7-8 years) for 18 months. Very low yields allied to meticulous wine making techniques are what make these wines so highly prized. They are renowned for their pure, racy minerality and rich, honeyed fruit, as well as for their ageworthiness - it would be a pity not to let them have the five to ten years in the cellar that they need to reach their sublime best.
