Domaine François Raveneau Montée de Tonnerre
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to offer not just a personal favorite, but arguably one of the greatest expressions of Chablis: Domaine François Raveneau’s Montée de Tonnerre.
This wine doesn’t just deliver—it overdelivers. Montée de Tonnerre shares the same prized Kimmeridgian limestone and sun-soaked exposure as neighboring Les Clos, but it brings its own voice: razor-sharp mineral clarity, quiet intensity, and a finish that hums across your palate. My mouth still waters thinking about the 2020 I opened a few months ago—this is a reference-point wine.
Like all truly great bottles these days, allocations are maddeningly small. I’m constantly joking with the importer, “What am I supposed to do with two bottles?” So imagine my surprise—and excitement—when I was offered a full 24. I didn’t hesitate.
No clue how long they’ll last. If you love the Domaine, you’re going to want the 2022 in your cellar. Take Burghound’s advice: “If you can find it, buy it and forget you own it for a decade.”
“A more elegant nose freely offers up its combination of airy white flowers, wet stone, spice, citrus, oyster shell and subtle quinine wisps. As is usually the case, the mouthfeel of the vibrant middle weight flavors is positively sublime and this markedly more sophisticated texture carries over to the almost painfully intense, mineral-driven and even longer finish that is bone-dry and quite austere at present. This is a stunner of MdT and a wine that should also repay extended keeping. Like the Butteaux, if you can find it, buy it and then forget you own it for a decade, or more.”
- Burghound, 94 Outstanding!
“The 2022 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre is also a strong performer this year, reminiscent of a more open version of the terrific 2020. Delivering aromas of orange oil, pear and green apple mingled with hints of white flowers, buttery pastry and oyster shell, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with bright acids and a long, saline finish.”
- William Kelley, 94
