| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy, Chablis |
| Producer | François Raveneau |
| Year | 2020 |
| Classification | AOP 1er Cru Butteaux |
| Grapes | 100% Chardonnay |
| Color | White |
| Alcohol % | 13 |
| Drinking Window | 2028 – 2038 |
| Condition | Perfect label, capsule, top fill. Actual bottle shown in gallery. |
| Content | 750 ml |
2020
François Raveneau 1er Cru Butteaux 2020
Not ready
The Raveneau Butteaux 2020 is approaching, but has not yet entered, its drinking window. 2020 was an early, warm and remarkably consistent Chablis vintage — Raveneau began harvesting on 28 August, the second-earliest on record after 2003 — yet because the growing season unfolded calmly, producers had time to make careful decisions and the wines combine ripeness with classic Chablis drive.
Although Butteaux is one of the cooler, windier parcels in the appellation, the warmth of 2020 shows here as additional volume and concentration rather than as a loss of tension; the wine is medium- to full-bodied, taut and structured, with the lively spine of acidity that defines the site. Critics have placed the window from now onwards and as far out as 2055; in line with this, I suggest drinking from 2028.
€ 325,00
Last bottle available
| Weight | 1 kg |
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Details
Reviews
Jasper Morris - 95
(5 Star Wine) Pale colour I instantly fall in love with this nose. An explosion of fresh white peaches on the nose, really gorgeous, with a massive concentration without heat or being clumsy. What else to say?
Burghound - 94
An expressive nose features aromas of mineral reduction, essence of green apple, lemon-lime and a variety of Chablis elements that include iodine, tidal pool and quinine along with moderate wood. There is excellent volume to the intense, detailed and tautly muscular flavors that display superb length on the balanced, youthfully austere and dry finale. This very rich and markedly powerful effort is flat out terrific though note that it is also quite compact so at least some patience is strongly recommended.
Wine Advocate - 94
The 2020 Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux is lovely, unfurling in the glass with aromas of pear, orange oil, lemon, freshly baked bread, beeswax and oyster shell. Medium to full-bodied, taut and structured, it’s a serious, concentrated wine with a lively spine of acidity and a long, mineral finish.
François Raveneau
Domaine François Raveneau, based in the village of Chablis, has been led by Bernard and Jean-Marie Raveneau since the 1970s, while the next generation — Isabelle and Maxime — is now closely involved. Annual production is around 3,000 cases across the full range of Premiers and Grands Crus, which makes Raveneau one of the smallest serious estates in the appellation.
The cellar approach is unfashionably traditional: long élevage in older feuillettes (132 litres), no battonage, no new oak. Allocation, not purchase, determines who receives bottles each year.
Terroir
Butteaux is a lieu-dit on the left bank of the Serein within the Montmains sector, sitting higher on the slope and on shallower soils than Montmains itself. The bedrock is Kimmeridgian marl — clay-limestone studded with the Exogyra virgula oyster fossils typical of the appellation — but because the parcel is more exposed to the prevailing winds and further from the sheltered Serein valley, Butteaux ripens more slowly than the right-bank Premier Crus opposite. As a result, the wine retains acidity even in warm vintages and ages on a notably long curve.
What others say after opening the bottle
I like that I can buy good wines here without allocations. The bottles I’ve opened were exactly where they needed to be. Jannes his advice felt honest and personal, which helped me decide. Delivery was careful and straightforward. K. Loesberg
I spoke with Jannes before ordering because I wanted additional photos of the bottle, and that gave me confidence. The wine was ready to drink. Being able to buy single bottles for the occasion instead of full cases suits me well. Everything arrived perfect. T. Driessen
What I appreciate most is not having to guess anymore. I prefer to buy wines that are in the middel of their drinking window. Jannes's guidance was calm and helpful, and the delivery was handled with care. J. Annaert
Jannes helped me choose for a special food pairing, and the whole process felt easy and trustworthy. I don’t have a cellar to store wines for years. Buying loose bottles in their drinking window is a big advantage. Shipping was good. B. Denruyter
After opening too many wines too early in the past, this feels different. The timing has been spot on. I like the freedom of buying without allocations and choosing single bottles. Delivery has been consistently good. R. Bontemps
The advice from Jannes made the selection feel personal, not generic. The wine I ordered for Christmas was exactly as expected. I didn’t need a full case, so buying individual bottles works well. Everything arrived safely and on time. D. Smits
Great to enjoy wines without second-guessing. Jannes his advice helped narrow things down, and I appreciate being able to order just a few bottles. Delivery is good, quick and well handled. W. Snijders
This suits how I drink wine now. I don’t want to wait years or buy cases. The bottles arrive ready, the advice is solid, and the process feels dependable from start to finish. A. van Kempen
Bottles offered privately, before anything appears online
Private Access, Without the Noise
Beyond the public selection, I occasionally source wines available in very small quantities — offered privately, or never formally listed. Through the Club Grandcru WhatsApp channel, these bottles are shared directly and selectively: mature vintages, single parcels, and bottles that never reach the open market. Early access is reserved for members.
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