2018 Domaine Francois Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur Chadonnay

2018 Domaine Francois Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur

95 BH

Featured Review

(Domaine François Raveneau Chablis - Valmur Grand Cru White) This too is quite restrained with a distinctly cool fruit profile of green fruit and a plethora of classic Chablis elements that include iodine, quinine, oyster shell and smoky mineral reduction. There is excellent volume and power, and particularly so for the 2018 vintage, to the muscular big-bodied flavors that possess fine mid-palate density on the intensely saline-inflected, markedly dry and chiseled finale. This possesses impressive development potential and should age well for years. (Drink starting 2030) Burghound

Burghound | 95 BH

(Domaine François Raveneau Chablis Valmur Grand Cru White) The 2018 Chablis Valmur Grand Cru is sensual and inviting, with tons of the textural dimension that is such a signature of this Grand Cru. Dried pear, chamomile, dried flowers, mint, spice and ginger come together in a creamy, open-knit wine with remarkable intensity. The Valmur finishes with tremendous density and power. I wouldn’t dream of touching a bottle until at least age ten, although as I write this I am fully aware I won’t have the discipline to follow my own advice!

Antonio Galloni | 95-97 AG

(Chablis “Valmur”- Domaine Raveneau) The 2018 Valmur from Domaine Raveneau is outstanding in quality, and quite expressive out of the blocks, as are several other of the wines here in this vintage. The very complex bouquet wafts from the glass in a combination of apple, pear, a touch of tangerine, beeswax, white flowers, chalky undertow and just a bit of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, ripe and precise, with a rock solid core of fruit, superb soil signature, a lovely girdle of acidity and outstanding length and grip on the snappy finish. This is an excellent wine in the making, and the only reason I rank it just a whisper behind the other two grand crus in the cellar this year is because it shows just a touch more ripeness in its panoply of fruit aromatics. But, there is absolutely nothing here not to be excited about! (Drink between 2027-2075)

John Gilman | 95+ JG

(Domaine François Raveneau, Chablis, Valmur Grand Cru, Burgundy, France, White) Despite the south-east exposure of the vineyard, this is never a block buster wine. Such things are unheard of chez Raveneau, after all. It has top notes of hawthorn and white flowers that segue into a subtle, nuanced, elegant palate that’s all about precision and texture rather than obvious fruit flavours, with acidity driving the mid-palate and finish. (Drink between 2022-2032)

Decanter | 95 DEC

The 2018 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur is brilliant, unwinding in the glass with notes of crisp green apple, white flowers, fresh bread, iodine and oyster shell. Full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, with chalky extract and tangy acids, it’s one of the cooler, more tensile wines in the range and stands out as a particular highlight.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RP

(François Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur, White, France) Aromas of fresh flowers and iodine with oyster shell and lemon zest, as well as more peachy notes. This has a very smooth-honed and concentrated, weighty feel with such fleshy peach and nectarine flavors, making a very sleek and compelling, long impression. Refined, weighty and long finish with yellow fruit and a wash of minerals. Drink on release or hold.

James Suckling | 92-93 JS

Type of Wine	Bugundy White
Varietal	Chadonnay
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Burgundy : Situated just west of the beautiful river Saone, the hills and valleys of Burgundy stand as they have stood since medieval times, and you can almost hear the cheerful chatter of vineyard workers from miles away. Indeed, France's identity in the world of wine would be incomplete without the inclusion of Burgundy and its many viticultural achievements. Every little sub-region of the area boasts a unique soil composition, which, when combined with the area's climate conditions, creates an incredibly diverse and appealing selection of fine wines. Every new bottle is an adventure of its own, and a snapshot of its birthplace. You could spend years sampling great Burgundian wines, and you would still have a lot to learn, which is what makes the region so compelling for veterans and novice wine lovers alike. No matter what your taste in wines may be, there is a winery in Burgundy that could mesmerize your mind and make your senses scream with joy. And what better way to spend a comfy summer afternoon with your friends and family than with a classy bottle from some of the region's most reputable wineries? From the noble slopes of Cote d'Or to the flatlands near various settlements, let us help you on your journey as we explore Burgundy's most delicious and renowned wines.
Subregion	Chablis
Climat/Vineyard	Valmur
Cru	Grand Cru