Viniou Reviews
The 2019 Chablis Premier Cru "Montée de Tonnerre" from Domaine François Raveneau is a remarkable illustration of Burgundy’s finest white wines. This wine is crafted entirely from Chardonnay grapes, renowned for thriving on the unique Kimmeridgian limestone soils characteristic of Chablis. The 2019 vintage benefited from a warm growing season, offering tremendous ripeness and concentration while retaining the hallmark freshness of the region. The Montée de Tonnerre climat, revered alongside the region’s grand crus, produces wines of remarkable depth and tension. Vinification at Raveneau is meticulous and traditional, with natural fermentation and ageing in both old oak and stainless steel, ensuring the preservation of mineral purity and complexity.
Chablis occupies the northernmost reaches of Burgundy, where its cool continental climate encourages slow grape ripening and a striking acidity in the wines. The ancient marl and limestone subsoils, rich in fossilised marine life, impart a distinctive saline minerality to Chardonnay grown here. This interplay of terroir and climate has established Chablis as a benchmark for precision and elegance in white wine since the Middle Ages, with Premier Cru vineyards like Montée de Tonnerre held in particularly high esteem.
The taut minerality and citrusy freshness of this Chablis Premier Cru make it a natural companion to seafood. Oysters, scallops and langoustines will highlight its saline complexity, while a classic pairing from the region—Chablis-marinated chicken—will complement the wine’s vibrant acidity. Soft cheeses such as Chaource or a lightly grilled Dover sole would also be excellent choices, bringing out the subtle floral and stone fruit nuances.
To appreciate the full nuance of Raveneau’s Montée de Tonnerre, serve it lightly chilled, ideally at 10-12°C. Allowing the wine to breathe for a short while in the glass or a decanter will enhance its aromatic expression and texture, revealing layers of citrus, white flowers and subtle oak influence that define this exceptional Chablis.
