Ratings & Tasting Notes:
97 points John Gilman
Review Date: 11/2012
The 2011 Clos from Domaine Raveneau is another great wine in the making, but like the Blanchots, this was a tad reduced at the time of my visit and required a bit of coaxing to blossom in the glass. The bouquet is a classically reserved and bottomless blend of green apple, grapefruit, lemon, kaleidoscopic, chalky minerality, a hint of licorice and spring flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and reserved, with a great core, stunning focus and grip and a very, very long, racy and youthful finish. Amazingly, this seems to be even a touch longer than the brilliant 2011 Valmur! A great, great wine in the making.
95 point Burghound
Review Date: 10/2013
In contrast to the expressiveness of the prior wines this is much more aromatically reserved with only grudging hints of white flower, pear, peach and plenty of classic Chablis character in evidence. The palate impression though is one of big-bodied and intensely mineral-driven flavors that exude copious amounts of dry extract that buffers the moderately firm acid spine on the very dry finish. As it usually is, this is stunningly good and should also reward up to a decade of cellar time.
94 points Wine Advocate
Review Date: 08/2013
Fusil and chalk dust notes rise from the glass of Raveneau’s 2011 Chablis Les Clos, along with scents of grapefruit and lemon that presage a juicy, bright and – especially for youthful wine from this formidable site – surprisingly succulent palate impression. There is greater density but little additional sense of weight here vis-a-vis its two grand cru siblings in the present collection, and there is a transparency to marine mineral nuances as well as a cut, energy and sheer persistence to the finish that set this fine effort apart, and mark it as one likely to be worth following through at least 2025. (DS)
Cult Wines International Notes:
Domaine François Raveneau holds a legendary status as arguably the finest producer in Chablis, a reputation built on unwavering traditionalism and the stewardship of some of the region’s most prized Kimmeridgian limestone slopes. Founded in 1948 when François Raveneau consolidated his family’s holdings with those of his wife, the Dauvissat family, the estate has remained a small, family-run operation currently led by Bernard and Jean-Marie Raveneau. The “Butteaux” climat is a sub-section of the larger Montmains Premier Cru, known for its high clay content and steep, south-facing exposure that yields wines of profound mineral density and structural power. The Raveneau style is defined by hand-harvesting, fermentation in stainless steel, and a long, patient maturation in aged feuillettes (132-liter barrels), which provides a subtle oxygen exchange that allows the intense acidity of Chablis to soften into a creamy, honeycomb-inflected complexity.
The 2011 vintage in Chablis is often remembered as a “classicist’s year,” though it was marked by a highly erratic growing season. An exceptionally warm, dry spring led to one of the earliest flowerings on record, but the summer turned cool and damp, slowing maturation and preserving the high-toned acidity that defines the Raveneau house style. A late burst of sunshine in August allowed the fruit to reach optimal ripeness just before a challenging harvest window. The 2011 Butteaux is a masterclass in tension, balancing the naturally “sunny” and broader character of the clay-heavy site with the lean, racy edge of the 2011 vintage. It displays a sophisticated bouquet of crushed seashells, lemon oil, and a characteristic hint of reduction, leading into a palate that is tightly coiled and intensely saline. Despite the difficulties of the season, the Raveneau meticulousness resulted in a wine with remarkable longevity and a crystalline expression of terroir.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.
Wax capsule has a few nicks as shown, otherwise outstanding condition.
