2008 Domaine Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru "Blanchot"

A restrained, even discreet nose of toast, white flower, stone and quinine notes can also be found on the silky, pure and sophisticated medium-bodied flavors blessed with ample amounts of dry extract that completely buffer the firm acid spine on the detailed, minerally and lingering finish that is almost painfully intense. A classic Blanchots of both style and grace.

Scents of gunpowder green tea, crushed stone, ocean spray, and grapefruit rind rise from the glass of Raveneau 2008 Chablis Blanchots, which then displays a breadth and richness that one would not have anticipated from the nose. Floral perfume and alkaline, iodine, and maritime mineral notes continue on an almost custardy-rich, seamless palate and into a finish of estimable length, although the overall impression here is relatively restrained, despite the wine’s amplitude and textural richness. Certainly the sense of minerality goes all the way through. I suspect this will need more time in bottle than most of its siblings to really blossom and would anticipate being rewarded for a dozen or more years. (DS)