2017 Domaine Raveneau Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru

Raveneau's 2017 Chablis Grand Cru Clos is also immensely impressive, offering up aromas of citrus oil and preserved lemons, orange rind, yellow orchard fruit, almond paste and fresh pastry that are very subtly inflected by a light touch of oak spice. On the palate, it's full-bodied, deep and layered, with immense concentration, a broad-shouldered, textural profile and a long, powerful finish. In a blind tasting, this is the one wine in the portfolio that might almost pass for a grand cru from the Côte de Beaune; and in that sense, Chablis purists might be tempted to express a preference for the Valmur this year, but there is no denying that this is an extremely compelling Les Clos.

The 2017 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru has a quite brilliant bouquet that soars from the glass with honeysuckle, white flowers, walnut and minerals, all with extraordinary delineation. The palate is extremely well balanced with a perfect bead of acidity, stupendous focus and a harmonious, smooth, slightly honeyed (in flavour not texture) finish. This is just a complete Grand Cru, one built for the long-term.

Four different plots where the vines’ average age is 45 years. The primary complexity is impressive. Fruits across the full array of stone fruits with some hazelnuts and fresh white flowers. The palate has a powerful, layered texture. Very smooth, dense and concentrated with a bold mineral core. A thrilling finish, bolted in deep. A great Les Clos with plenty of power. It finishes fresh and energetic. A late stony, mineral finish. Has the fruit to drink on release, but best from 2024.