2023 Domaine François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru "Monts Mains"

“Pale colour. The nose a little blocked by sulphur, and a slight reduction too. This is not important because the Montmains is fabulous on the palate with a fruit generosity that is entirely harmonious. Ripe apples, not much citrus, a light crunch to finish. Medium plus length, engaging. Drink from 2028-2035. Tasted May 2024.” (01/2025)

“More tightly wound and incisive than Vaillons, Raveneau’s 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains is another success. Sourced from a 0.3-hectare site—a windy place with thin, sticky topsoil—it unfurls from the glass with a bouquet of green apple, oyster shell, wheat toast and white flowers. Medium-bodied, with chalky grip and bright acidity, it concludes with a vibrant, mineral finish. If Vaillons is more horizontal, Montmains is vertical. It deserves special attention and will delight purists. Domaine Raveneau is one of the greatest estates in Chablis. This small 10-hectare domaine is one among a handful of bastions of artisanal winemaking in a region that embraced industrial winemaking with open arms, and it remains a beacon for connoisseurs of classical white Burgundy all over the world. In the era of premature oxidation, Raveneau’s wines have also emerged as some of the most dependable prospects for extended cellaring. A generational transition has been quietly effected: Bernard Raveneau retired on January 1, 2020, and was replaced by his daughter Isabelle; and Jean-Marie Raveneau retired on May 1, 2021, and was replaced by his son Maxime. Neither plan to change a tried-and-tested formula, and both are intimately versed in the domaine's secrets, so the future is secure.(KK)” (03/2025)

“Note: from a .37 ha holding of relatively young vines in Montmains proper. This is also aromatically quite pretty with its array of oyster shell, iodine, tidal pool and petrol scents along with more prominent floral nuances. The gorgeously textured and quite punchy middle weight flavors are even more mineral-inflected than usual while delivering excellent length on the balanced and chalky finish that is noticeably more tightly wound. This is altogether lovely and while certainly promising, I suspect that it could be approached after only 3 to 4 years if desired.*Burghound Sweet Spot Outstanding!*” (10/2024)

“The aromas of ripe pear and acacia blossoms of the 2023 Montmains are delicate and show a classic finesse, but the wine lacks a bit of the trenchant minerality of the other wines from this cellar. The texture is similarly elegant, but not as powerful as one might expect. Raveneau explains that the 0.30ha plot at the top of Montmains lieu-dit is almost flat and is more sheltered than the Butteaux vines, which are part of the same umbrella appellation.(CC)” (05/2024)

“Delicate and lacey compared to its more overt northern neighbor, Vaillons, this is floral and spicy, with cooler fruit tones, especially green apple and pomelo. The satiny texture benefits from integrated, supporting acidity. Water crackers and lees work into the classy, sustained finish with an anchor of wispy tannins.” (01/2025)

“The 2023 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru has a complex bouquet with wonderfully delineated wet limestone, orchard fruit, strawberry and lime emerging with time. The palate is very well balanced with an edginess that is very compelling. This has plenty of energy, good weight and substance. It builds beautifully toward the finish. The 2023 is excellent.(NM)” (07/2025)

“The Raveneau family’s 2023 Montmains is excellent. The wine’s aromatic constellation delivers scents of pink grapefruit, lemon, wet stone minerality, anise, apple blossoms, citrus peel and a touch of oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and a bit more reserved in personality today than the lovely Vaillons, with a fine core of fruit, good mineral drive and grip, zesty acids and a long, well balanced and complex finish. (Drink between 2028-2060)” (02/2025)