Francois Raveneau Chablis Butteaux 1er Cru 2023

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.

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)