2023 Domaine Francois Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur [WA96-98][D95][V95][JM92-95][BH92-95]

Producer: Domaine Francois Reveneau
Region: Chablis, Burgundy, France
Varietal: Chardonnay
Year: 2023     

Wine Advocate, 96-98 Points 

"The 2023 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur, derived from a steep, south-facing site, is showing superbly and is one of the wines of the vintage. With more mid-palate amplitude than any other wine in the range, it soars from the glass with a bouquet of extraordinary complexity, featuring notes of iodine, acacia, grapefruit zest and oyster shell. Isabelle Raveneau explains that the parcel is like a small natural amphitheater, and work is mostly done in the mornings since it’s too hot to work there during the day. On the palate, the wine is deep, full-bodied and multifaceted, with incredible concentration, tangy acidity and striking intensity, finishing with a long, saline aftertaste. Both more tensile and slightly more linear than the dramatic Clos that followed it, this is a brilliant Valmur." 

Decanter, 95 Points 

"Seductive, silky and very fine, the Valmur has aromas of ripe apple, nectarine and fresh white blossoms with a suggestion of oyster shell. The palate has decidedly grand cru power and weight, but there is still a charming elegance. Compared to the other Raveneau grands crus, this has less power than Les Clos and less lemony mineral tension than Blanchot, but it has a charming finesse all its own and should continue to improve for decades to come. The grapes are from 0.70ha exposed due south in the centre of Valmur." 

Vinous, 95 Points 

"The 2023 Chablis Valmur Grand Cru has an enticing bouquet with white tea and chamomile infusing its citrus fruit.  This has superb mineralite that becomes more evident with aeration.  The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity.  It’s elegant and tender in style yet still powerful as it fans out on the finish.  The tongue tingles on the aftertaste.  Fantastique." 

Jasper Morris, 92-95 Points 

"Pale in colour. A raft of concentrated white fruit, robust, well-muscled, a better thread of acidity when tasted alongside the Blanchots, giving shape to the wine. A fine long finish. The Valmur is still hiding its light at this stage, so my rating feels conservative. Drink from 2028-2038." 

Burghound, 92-95 Points 

"This could be from nowhere else with its equally reticent nose of shellfish, quinine, pear, green apple and an abundance of citrus elements. There is excellent volume and outstanding richness to the dense, muscular and powerful broad-shouldered flavors that possess an agreeably dry, sappy and beautifully long finish that is borderline tannic. This is a very serious and powerful Valmur that is clearly built for longer-term cellaring." 

Alcohol: 13% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.