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2011 Francois Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur #186658424
750ml
Reviews 94 points Wine Advocate "The 2011 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur is excellent, unfurling in the decanter and glass with notes of confit lemon, citrus zest, fresh pastry and a light framing of reduction. On the palate, it's full-bodied, multidimensional and substantial, with this cuvee's characteristic marriage of texture, concentration and focus, concluding with a long finish... (WK)" 94 points Burghound "If served blind it would be almost impossible to mistake this for anything other than Chablis with its sea breeze, iodine, green fruit and lemon rind suffused nose. The supple yet precise medium-bodied flavors are a study in restraint with their cool minerality and wonderful sense of underlying tension. This is more powerful but also more focused presently than the Blanchot plus the finish is ever-so-slightly more persistent as well. A textbook Valmur. (AM)" 96 points John Gilman "...The simply stunning nose jumps from the glass in a melange of lemon, tangerine, a great base of chalky minerality, a bit of anise and a beautiful floral topnote redolent of lemon blossoms. On the palate the wine is stunningly deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with great mineral drive, laser-like focus and simply superb cut and grip on the huge, mineral bath of a finish. This is a brilliant vintage of Valmur for the Raveneaus. (JG)"
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About Francois Raveneau
Domaine François Raveneau sits at the pinnacle of Chablis production, producing a mere 3,000 cases per year yet presenting a distinguished portfolio of terroirs. This includes five premier cru and three grand cru vineyards that yield wines of exceptional quality and age-ability. These collectible wines are emblematic of Chablis' distinctive Kimmeridgian limestone soils, brought to life by François Raveneau’s sons, Bernard and Jean-Marie, along with Bernard's daughter, Isabelle.
The Raveneau family approaches winemaking with a blend of tradition and meticulous craftsmanship. Unlike many of their contemporaries, they maintain a labor-intensive, manual harvest. Their vinification process features gentle pressing and fermentation in tanks, allowing the lees to settle before isolating the finest for barrel aging in neutral oak and feuillettes for 18 months. The result is an array of Chardonnays celebrated for their aromatic intensity and mineral expression.
Spanning nearly eight hectares, the Raveneau's vineyard holdings are predominantly composed of grand cru and premier cru designations. This includes the distinguished grand cru parcels of Blanchot, Les Clos, and Valmur and the notable premier crus such as Montée de Tonnerre, Les Vaillons, and Butteaux. These vineyards, bathed in southwest-facing sun, thrive in the clay-rich and chalky limestone soils of the Kimmeridgian chain.
The family's continued commitment to traditional viticulture—natural vineyard management, severe winter pruning, and hand-harvesting—along with François Raveneau’s pioneering use of Côte d’Or winemaking methods, like barrel fermentation and extended lees contact, contribute to the wines' longevity and distinctiveness. From their premier crus that rival the grand crus to their impressive grand crus, Domaine François Raveneau masterfully captures the profound essence of Chablis, creating wines that unveil layer upon layer of complexity as they mature.