Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay

Again I had this at a friends tasting last Sunday afternoon. No notes taken but I recall more honeyed and mature than Chablis oyster shell characteristics. I should add that Penfolds 1990 707 in the image to the right was exceptional. Drinking at its peak from a good vintage with still some years to go. 97 points for the 707.

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. Also, no Chapelot this year so it’s blended in here. A multi hour advance decant has it rocking, stunningly aromatic, soaring with layers of créme fraîche, baking spice, crushed stones and a whisper 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 provide a seamless balance to its power and richness. MDT always hits 🫰🏻

Punchy. Some tropical notes- lychee, lemon, peach, salinity on the nose. Good balance in the mid palate and good length. Atypical but good.

MDT side by side I’ve always wanted to do! 😍

François Raveneau “Montée de Tonnerre” 2013- Now for Raveneau’s MDT where the Domaine has always particularly excelled. Similarly floral and elegant in its bouquet, it is more powerful than the Dauvissat, and there is additional emphasis on its freshness, salinity and crushed oyster shell minerality. The palate shows excellent depth, texture and waxy yellow fruit that’s driven home by a racy citrus inflicted acidity that leads to its long and vibrant finish.

This was a much closer “race” than I anticipated, and only a slight overall edge goes to Raveneau for its power, vibrancy, depth and texture. The Dauvissat is more open, requiring less time to show all that it can be, but that wasn’t a surprise so the Raveneau was given a bit more air. The Dauvissat may even be a bit more complex at this stage in its life but the Raveneau seemingly will be longer lived. (Although still an early drinking vintage especially by Raveneau standards). Most importantly it was a great side by side that I hope to do again! 🙌🏻

Bright and refined. Plush with time but restrained next to the PReusses from dauvissat a bit under.

Corked bit still pretty underneath

A very youthful and vital nose with white flowers, greengage, lime, wet stone. Still quite primary but very uplifting. On the palate slightly sweet and quite intense. Lovely presence with prominent fresh green fruit. Very good but has a long life ahead.

Bright, light and intense. Super fresh greengage, melon, limestone, sweet lime. Lucid and punchy on the palate. Great but young.

Baby killing, but damn, this baby is delicious.

One of those wines that make you think you needn't look much further. Of course I'll look much further, but this wine was just about it. Superb bottle.