Montée de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay

Raveneau really nailed this vintage. A difficult growing season and minimal yields have nonetheless produced a stunning MDT, immensely generous, expressive and multidimensional wafting a floral, citrusy-spice inflicted bouquet layered in pastry cream and stony Chablisen minerality. The palate is magnificently textured, concentrated, long and voluptuous, slightly lower in acidity as 16’s can be, but still with plenty of power, tension and balance that belies the vintage norm. MDT is a tremendous success in 2016. Raveneau is king. 💛

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 🫰🏻

Light and clear. Lime and chalk and steel. Salinity but quite ripe for Raveneau. Lovely intensity, a hint of grapefruit and good balance.

A proper Burg at the perfect place. Great to check in on the baby MDT, but it’s rocking already out of the decanter with incredible power and energy to its riveting depth of yellow fruit expression, layered minerality and piercing lemony acids with signature MDT density and texture. A classic vintage with many years ahead.

A lineup of 1993-2013 Chapelot and Mont de Milieu 1er Cru Chablis. Not surprisingly, this ‘93 Raveneau came out on top.

Botrytis kinda nose: honey+funk, saffron, ginger. Medicinal aspirin. Mineral forestry stream. Coconut, cream vanilla, Brioche, tangerine blossom, baking spices - nutmeg, allspice. Beautiful golden color.

Great stuff. A punchy nose of Rick pools, steel, chalk and salinity. Beautiful balance on the palate with hints of pear and yellow flowers. Crazy good Montee with all the refined edges and angularity of 04

Beautiful calm balance with gentle lemon and chalk. Steely focus and delicate floral notes. So pretty.

Beautifully composed. Certainly aged with lanolin, gentle honey but still fresh, poised and beautifully balanced. Long and pure. Exceptional