A pale lemon yellow in colour - quite youthful looking for a 12 year old Chardonnay. Aromatics of white peach - mealy and nutty notes, still with a nice acid cut at the finish. Drinking at its peak. Fuller than some Marg River Chardonnays I’ve had lately like Xanadu and Fraser Gallop. I have had richer Art Series Chardonnays but personally I love the balance in this. — 25 days ago
Pop and pour. A striking medium gold color. On the nose: wonderful aeromatics of apple, honeycomb, floral, lemon, almonds. Taste: lean, waxy, balanced mouthcoating wine with tart apple, saline, lemon rind, crushed stone, and a minerally orange peel lingering finish. YUM! Should have more time to go. — a month ago
Really nice now, but restrained. In 4-5yr this is going knock your socks off. — 13 days ago
Somewhat disappointing for a wine of such great stature — 5 days ago
Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and spice scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on a nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A beautiful Chardonnay. Pair this with a Swordfish steak topped with balsamic roasted tomatoes. — a month ago
I haven’t had a lot of aged Chablis, but this is drinking remarkably well for being 13 years old. Austere; high acid but with some weight to it. Flint and lemon peel but I would wager this saw at least some oak as there is definitely a little butterscotch in the background both in the nose and palate. Drinks like a lighter more restrained Montrachet. — 3 days ago
1 of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded 1885 by John Benson. Winery flourished until Prohibition, when it was abandoned & fell into complete disrepair. Stately stone shell of a winery purchased in 1979 by Gil Nickel. A big wine! Tropical and stone fruit aromas with complex spice and oak notes. On the palate apple, peach and citrus flavors, creamy, with buttery toasty oak, fig/honey tones. Long finish ending with vibrant acidity & mineral character. Consistent. — a month ago
Lee Pitofsky
Not sure there are better 13 whites than Raveneau. Lafon also comes to mind. It’s an early drinking vintage (by Raveneau standards) while you wait for 12 and 14, and no Chapelot this year so it’s blended in here. A multi-hour decant has it showing superbly, wafting layers of créme fraîche, baking spice, crushed stones and a touch of botrytis influenced saffron. The palate shows immense power, concentration and depth of waxy yellow fruit chiseled with Chablisen minerality, brilliant tension and racy lemony acids. MDT always hits 🫰🏻 — 6 days ago