1998 Domaine Francois Raveneau Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru, France
A True Legend of Burgundy — Not Just Chablis
Domaine François Raveneau is the benchmark for Chablis—full stop. But to limit their legacy to just this appellation would be a disservice. Raveneau stands shoulder to shoulder with the greats of Burgundy: DRC, Lafon, and other A-listers whose reputations are beyond reproach.
The domaine’s path to legend began quietly in the mid-20th century, when François Raveneau assembled the core vineyard holdings that now make up this iconic estate. What he recognized—and what his sons Bernard and Jean-Marie, and now his granddaughter Isabelle continue to honor—is the singular importance of old vines. These are fiercely preserved, cut back heavily each winter to reduce cluster count and intensify the character of every berry. The yields are minuscule, but that’s the point: this is about quality over quantity at its most extreme.
Farming is whip-smart and fully natural, with no shortcuts. All grapes are hand-harvested to ensure the fruit arrives at the press undamaged, preserving purity from vine to glass.
In the cellar, Isabelle Raveneau oversees a process that is as thoughtful as it is restrained. After pressing, the juice settles for 24 hours, then ferments in old oak barrels. The wines remain on their lees and undergo malolactic conversion naturally. Aging takes place in feuillettes—small barrels about half the size of a barrique—with an average age of 6 to 8 years. These neutral vessels aren't meant to impart oak flavor, but to add texture and allow gentle oxygen exchange during the élevage.
The result? Wines of extraordinary precision and depth that reward patience. Raveneau bottles follow the “Aubert de Villaine rule”: drink them young (within the first five years) or have the discipline to wait another fifteen. With time, they don’t just age—they ascend.
Whether enjoyed at the table or contemplated slowly on their own, Raveneau wines are a masterclass in restraint, complexity, and the quiet pursuit of perfection. The only challenge? Finding enough to go around.
A True Legend of Burgundy — Not Just Chablis
Domaine François Raveneau is the benchmark for Chablis—full stop. But to limit their legacy to just this appellation would be a disservice. Raveneau stands shoulder to shoulder with the greats of Burgundy: DRC, Lafon, and other A-listers whose reputations are beyond reproach.
The domaine’s path to legend began quietly in the mid-20th century, when François Raveneau assembled the core vineyard holdings that now make up this iconic estate. What he recognized—and what his sons Bernard and Jean-Marie, and now his granddaughter Isabelle continue to honor—is the singular importance of old vines. These are fiercely preserved, cut back heavily each winter to reduce cluster count and intensify the character of every berry. The yields are minuscule, but that’s the point: this is about quality over quantity at its most extreme.
Farming is whip-smart and fully natural, with no shortcuts. All grapes are hand-harvested to ensure the fruit arrives at the press undamaged, preserving purity from vine to glass.
In the cellar, Isabelle Raveneau oversees a process that is as thoughtful as it is restrained. After pressing, the juice settles for 24 hours, then ferments in old oak barrels. The wines remain on their lees and undergo malolactic conversion naturally. Aging takes place in feuillettes—small barrels about half the size of a barrique—with an average age of 6 to 8 years. These neutral vessels aren't meant to impart oak flavor, but to add texture and allow gentle oxygen exchange during the élevage.
The result? Wines of extraordinary precision and depth that reward patience. Raveneau bottles follow the “Aubert de Villaine rule”: drink them young (within the first five years) or have the discipline to wait another fifteen. With time, they don’t just age—they ascend.
Whether enjoyed at the table or contemplated slowly on their own, Raveneau wines are a masterclass in restraint, complexity, and the quiet pursuit of perfection. The only challenge? Finding enough to go around.
A True Legend of Burgundy — Not Just Chablis
Domaine François Raveneau is the benchmark for Chablis—full stop. But to limit their legacy to just this appellation would be a disservice. Raveneau stands shoulder to shoulder with the greats of Burgundy: DRC, Lafon, and other A-listers whose reputations are beyond reproach.
The domaine’s path to legend began quietly in the mid-20th century, when François Raveneau assembled the core vineyard holdings that now make up this iconic estate. What he recognized—and what his sons Bernard and Jean-Marie, and now his granddaughter Isabelle continue to honor—is the singular importance of old vines. These are fiercely preserved, cut back heavily each winter to reduce cluster count and intensify the character of every berry. The yields are minuscule, but that’s the point: this is about quality over quantity at its most extreme.
Farming is whip-smart and fully natural, with no shortcuts. All grapes are hand-harvested to ensure the fruit arrives at the press undamaged, preserving purity from vine to glass.
In the cellar, Isabelle Raveneau oversees a process that is as thoughtful as it is restrained. After pressing, the juice settles for 24 hours, then ferments in old oak barrels. The wines remain on their lees and undergo malolactic conversion naturally. Aging takes place in feuillettes—small barrels about half the size of a barrique—with an average age of 6 to 8 years. These neutral vessels aren't meant to impart oak flavor, but to add texture and allow gentle oxygen exchange during the élevage.
The result? Wines of extraordinary precision and depth that reward patience. Raveneau bottles follow the “Aubert de Villaine rule”: drink them young (within the first five years) or have the discipline to wait another fifteen. With time, they don’t just age—they ascend.
Whether enjoyed at the table or contemplated slowly on their own, Raveneau wines are a masterclass in restraint, complexity, and the quiet pursuit of perfection. The only challenge? Finding enough to go around.