Back to SommPicks US
Early AccessSommPicks EU Direct
2012 Francois Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos #211899340
750ml
Reviews 95-98 points Wine Advocate "The 2012 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos has a lovely nose that takes a few minutes to open, revealing subtle notes of hazelnut, grilled almond and strong saline notes. The palate is beautifully balanced with citrus peel, dried apricot, a hint of lemongrass and a long praline-tinged finish that goes on and on and on. Stunning. (NM)" 96 points Vinous "Raveneau's 2012 Chablis Clos is all about subtlety, nuance and class. Bright saline notes meld into a bevy of orchard fruits, flowers and mint. Here, too, the recent bottling has attenuated some of the wine's complexity and structure, but over time, the Clos starts to open up, hinting at what is to come. Ideally, the 2012 is best left alone until it is at least ten years old. Readers lucky enough to the find the Clos are in for a fabulous drinking experience. (AG)" 97 points Burghound "This is less reserved than usual with its equally elegant and pure aromas of petrol, citrus blossom, essence of stone, tidal pool and oyster shell nuances. There is stunningly good concentration and power to the broad-shouldered and big-bodied flavors that seem to be built on a base of liquid rock, all wrapped in the same almost painfully intense finish as the Valmur that just goes on and on. Like the Blanchots, this is extraordinarily saline in character. A definite Wow wine! (AM)" 98 points John Gilman "The 2012 Raveneau Clos is a brilliant wine in the making. The very young and very magical nose wafts from the glass in a mix of pink grapefruit, tart orange, kaleidoscopic minerality, flint, a potpourri of citrus zest, hints of the anise to come and plenty of top end smokiness. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and absolutely rock solid at the core, with great cut and focus, brisk acids, stunning mineral complexity and drive and a very, very long, youthful and dancing finish. (JG)"
Ridiculously low 2-day shipping. Add to cart to calculate cost.
Also From Francois Raveneau
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.