Francois Raveneau Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru 2023

The 2023 Chablis “Clos” from Domaine Raveneau is another brilliant wine in the making. The very complex bouquet wafts from the glass in a mix of lemon, pink grapefruit, tangerine, anise, beeswax, chalky soil tones, oyster shell, citrus zest and a very discreet touch of oak. On the palate the wine is deep, complex and full-bodied, with bottomless depth at the core, superb soil signature and grip, a lovely girdle of acidity and a very, very long, poised and impeccably balanced finish. All this magical wine needs is enough time in the cellar to blossom. (Drink between 2033-2080)

Coming from four plots in the heart of Les Clos, the 2023 is brilliant. Sculpted, muscular and dignified, this is wound up with powerful citrus and orchard fruit concentration. Fullish in body yet with reserved abv, roaring acidity nicely handles the notable extract. Intense salinity stars on the layered, long finish. This is my Les Clos of the vintage.

Les Clos offers another degree of intensity, the tightly knit power bursting through on the nose. Immense detail, once again Clos rises above the vintage with superb tension behind. Dancing on the palate, with a perfect balance of fruit, acidity and backbone. Drink from 2028-2040.