The most sublime and the most celebrated estate of Chablis, the wines of Domaine Raveneau are a rare find—exceptional because the vineyard holdings are almost entirely made of grand cru and premier cru fruit, painfully finite as so few are produced, outstanding because of their tremendous quality and consistency, and unusual given the modesty of the vignerons who create these world-class wines. 

One of the most flamboyant wines in the range, Raveneau’s 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons is showing superbly. Issuing from 0.4 hectares defined by stony soils and a natural amphitheater that shields the vines from winds, it’s ample and textural, soaring from the glass to reveal a bouquet of grapefruit zest, pear and crisp stone fruit mingling with notes of beeswax and white flowers. Concentrated, layered and intense, it's supported by a bright spine of acidity and concludes with a chalky finish. As is routinely the case with Vaillons, it will richly reward patience. Date: Mar 2025; Rating: 92-94 Points; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

Cool and layered and more elegant aromas include those of white pepper, acacia, quinine and essence of pear. There is both an appealing vibrancy and more refinement to the mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that aren't especially dense though they do offer fine length on the youthfully austere finale that is sufficiently structured to repay up to a decade of keeping. Tasted: Oct 2025; Drink: 2030+; Issue: 100; Comments: Outstanding; Rating 91 Points; Allen Meadows; Burghound