2023 Domaine Francois Raveneau Chablis Premier Cru Butteaux [JM92-95][D94][JG94][TA94][V94][BH91-94][WA91-93]

Jasper Morris, 92-95 Points 

"Very faintly more colour than the Montmains. An extra density of white fruit on the nose. Excellent reserved power all the way through and the longest finish so far. The Butteaux delivers entirely in white fruit, without reduction, just harmony and a fine thread of minerals right at the finish. Not saline nor iodine, just a first rate expression of Butteaux. Drink from 2028-2038. Tasted May 2024." 

Decanter, 94 Points 

"The delicious 2023 Butteaux from Raveneau boasts pronounced aromas of grapefruit and gooseberry, underpinned with salty minerality. The texture is more linear, as the crisp acidity brings a bit more tension, but there is also more extract here. The domaine owns two parcels that total 1.5ha in this lieu-dit (part of the larger Montmains umbrella on the left bank of the Serein). As Isabelle Raveneau describes it, the vines are planted in shallow soils at the top of the slope in the windiest location, driving the tension in this delightful wine." 

John Gilman, 94 Points 

"The 2023 Butteaux here was more reserved in personality than any other of the premier crus up until this point, which is certainly not out of character for this cuvée, but which I still take as a good sign for its potential longevity in bottle. The bouquet is bright and nascently complex, offering up a fine blend of pear, apple, a gorgeous foundation of chalky soil tones, beeswax, vanillin oak and a floral topnote of apple blossoms. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite racy in profile for this vintage, with an excellent core of fruit, fine mineral drive and grip, impeccable balance and a very long, racy and promising finish. This is going to be an outstanding wine, but it will need a handful of years in the cellar before it starts to drink with generosity. (Drink between 2030-2065)" 

Tim Atkin, 94 Points 

"Understated yet regal, this is a reserved wine that certainly reflects its windy, hill-top site— despite the hot vintage. Candle wax, rising yeast rolls, ginger paste and fennel give this a savory bent. Reverberating concentration combines with feline grace to assure a long life expectancy. Lemon peels and chalk surface on the super-charged finish." 

Vinous, 94 Points 

"The 2023 Chablis Les Butteaux 1er Cru conveys a sense of completeness on the nose that draws you into its charms. Its yellow plum, crushed rock and sea cave aromas are as beautifully defined as ever. The palate is very harmonious with a fine bead of acidity, real depth and sapidity, building toward a long yet tender finish that lingers in the mouth. This was difficult to spit out…" 

Burghound, 91-94 Points 

"Note: from 1.49 ha holding of 40+ year old vines. Prominent mineral reduction nuances add breadth to the aromas of cool apple, pear, just grated zest and iodine and algae wisps. The richer and more concentrated larger-scaled flavors flash even more evident power on the sappy, balanced, tightly wound and quite serious finale. The Raveneau Butteaux is consistently the reference standard for the vineyard and it's likely to be so again in 2023.*Burghound Sweet Spot Outstanding!*" 

Wine Advocate, 91-93 Points 

"Sourced from two plots on the bottom of the slope, amounting to just 0.6 hectares in total, the 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Forêt, similar to Raveneau’s Vaillons, is protected from winds by a natural amphitheater. However, it has yielded a slightly tauter wine than Vaillons. Based on deeper soils than Montmains, it soars from the glass with scents of grapefruit zest, dried white flowers and pear. Open yet controlled in its expressiveness, it’s deep and textural, underpinned by racy acidity and concludes with a long, chalky finish."