![Domaine Francois Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru "Valmur" 2020 (Burgundy, France) - [BH 96] [WA 96] [VM 93-95] [DM 94] [JM 94-96]](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/products/14730750-1_1625690744_b23fb44c-62ce-494e-9d5b-e4d0f096ebe4_{width}x.png?v=1667354414)
Domaine Francois Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru "Valmur" 2020
(Burgundy, France) - [BH 96] [WA 96] [VM 93-95] [DM 94] [JM 94-96]
Regular price $2,200.00 Sale price $1,194.99 Save $1,005.01
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: 40 years average
Soil: Kimmeridgian Limestone
Vineyard Area: .75 ha
Ratings and Reviews
96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"With its iodine-inflected aromas of confit citrus, crisp green orchard fruit, freshly baked bread and petrol and its full-bodied, layered and incisive palate, the 2020 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur is in a sense (as is often the case) the most classically Chablisien of Raveneau's three grand cru bottlings this year. Concentrated and chiseled, with a long, chalky finish, it's a magical young wine in the making, much as it was from barrel. 2027-2055." - William Kelley (7/21/22)
96 Points - Allen Meadows' BurgHound:
"Once again there is just enough wood to mention on the green fruit, shellfish, quinine-suffused nose. The sleekly muscular, rich, powerful and serious larger-scaled flavors are unusually refined for Valmur before concluding in a driving, bone-dry and hugely long finale. This is a big but impeccably well-balanced effort that should easily repay 12 to 15 years of cellaring. In short, this is seriously good. Drink starting 2032." (9/22)
94-96 Points - Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy:
"Clear pale colour, a very light reduction here but the massive nature of this wine. Some stones can be teased out of the nose, while the palate delivers a weight of fruit that doesn’t especially want to speak to us today. I have no quarrel with backwardness in a grand cru, of course! A light touch of nectarines and ripe citrus, but the granular minerality remains the dominant force. Magnificent length, a great wine for the long term future." (6/1/21)
93-95 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Chablis Valmur Grand Cru is more backward and reserved compared to the Blanchots- The Valmur comes across a little terse, serious, stony and zen-like. The poised palate offers a silver bead of acidity and intermingled flavors of citrus lemon and orange zest toward the saline finish. Perhaps, the Blanchots possesses a little more charm at this early stage. As Isabelle Raveneau averred, this will be for longer aging. Drink between 2024-2045." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2020)
94 Points - Decanter:
"Attractive, with hints of peach and flowers, coming from 45-year-old vines. Warm but not at all hot on the nose. Very fine line of acidity, plus an intriguing, pristine quality. Not a blockbuster; quite delicate and refined.
" - Andy Howard, MW (10/10/21)