![Domaine Francois Raveneau Chablis Premier Cru "Butteaux" 2018 (Burgundy, France) - [DM 95] [JG 94] [JS 93-94] [WA 93+] [BH 93] [VM 92]](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/products/14730717-1_1625690744_{width}x.png?v=1642536498)
Domaine Francois Raveneau Chablis Premier Cru "Butteaux" 2018
(Burgundy, France) - [DM 95] [JG 94] [JS 93-94] [WA 93+] [BH 93] [VM 92]
Regular price $600.00 Sale price $589.99 Save $10.01
The most sublime and the most celebrated estate of Chablis, the wines of Domaine Raveneau are a rare find—exceptional because the vineyard holdings are almost entirely made of grand cru and premier cru fruit, painfully finite as so few are produced, outstanding because of their tremendous quality and consistency, and unusual given the modesty of the vignerons who create these world-class wines.
From vine to glass, the Raveneaus continue to do things the old-fashioned way. Although François passed away in 2000, Bernard’s daughter, Isabelle, joins them today, assuring fans that Domaine Raveneau will continue into the next generation.
VITICULTURE / VINIFICATION
• Harvested by hand
• Grapes pressed gently by pneumatic press
• Only indigenous yeasts are used
• Juice is left to settle, and then racked off its lees into cuve to ferment
• Alcoholic fermentation takes two weeks, followed by a malolactic fermentation in barrel
• Wines are aged for 18 months in older oak barrel and feuillette (most of which comes from barrel-maker Chassin), of which a very small percentage is new
Technical Data:
Vine Age: 45 years average
Soil: Kimmeridgian Limestone
Vineyard Area: 1.49 ha
Ratings and Reviews
95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"More classic and Chablis-like' is how Isabelle Raveneau often describes this Premier Cru bottling, sourced from a cool, windy spot within Montmains. It's a wine that always takes a while to show at its best, showing considerable restraint and focus, a hint of new wood, wet stone and chalky mineralty and a long, tapering, leesy finish. Buy some and lay it down. Drinking Window 2022 - 2033." - Tim Arkin MW
94 Points - John Gilman:
"The 2018 Butteaux from Domaine Raveneau is another great premier cru in the making. The youthful and pure nose wafts from the glass in a mix of lemon, apple, pear, chalky soil tones, citrus peel and beeswax. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and fairly powerful in personality this year, with a rock solid core, excellent transparency and grip, an outstanding girdle of acidity and superb length and lift on the very long finish. First class juice in the making. (Drink between 2024-2065)"
93-94 Points - James Suckling:
"This offers some very exotic aromas of green mangoes and white peaches, as well as a very fresh, lemon-curd edge and crushed stones, oyster shell and wet chalk. The palate has a strong,fresh and cool mineral core for this warmer vintage. Pastry-like density to the strongly mineral finish. Drink from 2024." (Jul 2019)
93+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"My favorite premier cru in the range this year is the 2018 Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux, a lovely wine that wafts from the glass with aromas of citrus oil, green apple, pear, oyster shell and pastry cream. Medium to full-bodied, taut and structured, with fine concentration and chalky extract, it concludes with a mouthwateringly saline finish." - William Kelley (Aug 2021)
92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2018 Chablis Les Butteaux 1er Cru has plenty of energy on the nose, offering scents of crushed stone and chalk, hints of fresh green apples and a touch of spice. The palate is well balanced with a superb, clean line of acidity and wonderful tension. Isabelle Raveneau remarked how well this vineyard copes with warm growing seasons due to its exposure, and you can see that in this excellent wine. Recommended." - Neal Martin (Sep 2020)
93 Points - Allen Meadows' BurgHound :
"A very fresh and slightly riper is not quite as elegant and airy as the Montmains though there is excellent Chablis character and plenty of mineral reduction. The sleek if more muscular medium-bodied flavors are definitely more tightly coiled while displaying very good power and punch on the chiseled, bone dry and impressively lengthy finish. Lovely stuff that is also built to reward a decade plus of keeping." (Nov 2020)