Raveneau, Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux 2014

vinous94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2014 Chablis Butteaux 1er Cru from Domaine François Raveneau is drinking beautifully, even though I am fully aware of committing infanticide. It is one of my favorite vineyards ­– and in my view, an underrated one – from a benchmark Chablis growing season. A stunning, razor-sharp bouquet offers limestone and petrichor aromas, and hints of walnut and shucked oyster shells develop with aeration. That fresh marine influence translates into a palate that displays exquisite balance and just a hint of toffee apple, closing in slightly toward the finish. There is so much tension and grace here. Brilliant.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Crushed-rock minerality dominates grapefruit and menthol on the nose. Penetrating acidity gives this rather powerful wine a youthfully clenched quality, with its tactile grapefruit, white pepper and mineral flavors rather austere in the early going. Impressively large-scaled for premier cru but more backward than the Monteé de Tonnerre. The Raveneaus normally present their Butteaux before their Montée de Tonnerre but not in this vintage.

vinous92

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Bright, pale yellow. Lovely subtle floral perfume lifts the aromas of lemon, lime, grapefruit pith and crushed stone. Thicker than the Vaillons and showing more inner-mouth perfume but this wine will still need at least a couple more years in bottle to absorb its bracing acidity. The long finish conveys and impression of finesse.