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2020 Francois Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Les Forets #261605746
750ml
3 In Stock
3 In Stock
93
John Gilman
Reviews 91 points Wine Advocate "Notions of pear, citrus oil, white peach and spring flowers introduce the 2020 Chablis 1er Cru Foret, a medium to full-bodied, satiny and precise wine that's elegant and fine-boned, concluding with a long, saline finish. As usual, this is the Raveneau premier cru to pick if you want to open a bottle young. (WK)" 93 points John Gilman "The Domaine Raveneau Foret is excellent in the 2020 vintage. The bouquet is bright and precise, but notably more reserved in personality at the present time than the Chablis villages. It delivers scents of lemon, pink grapefruit, apple, a fine base of limestone, paraffin and a topnote of apple blossoms. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and tightly-knit, with a fine core, lovely backend energy and cut, impressive minerality and a long, elegant and vibrant finish. This is going to be excellent, but it will demand a bit of bottle age before it starts to drink with generosity. (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.