# Chablis Premier Cru Montée De Tonnerre (2019)

- **Producer:** Domaine François Raveneau
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €485
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** citrus zest, lemon zest, white flowers, iodine, oyster shell, tidal pool, crushed stone, chalky structure, fresh mint, dill, fresh hazelnuts, nutmeg, white pepper, dried honey, stem ginger

## About this wine

The Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre from Domaine François Raveneau is a highly sought-after white wine from the renowned Chablis region of Burgundy, France. Produced from 100% Chardonnay, this Premier Cru appellation is situated on the right bank of the Serein river, benefiting from sun-drenched slopes that contribute to its power. Domaine François Raveneau is a historic estate, celebrated for its unwavering commitment to traditional winemaking and the purest expression of terroir. The 2019 vintage, marked by a warm and dry season, yielded grapes of exceptional concentration and structure, resulting in a wine of remarkable depth and aging potential. The estate's philosophy emphasizes meticulous vineyard management, including manual plowing and hand-harvesting, coupled with a minimalist approach in the cellar, utilizing old oak barrels to preserve the wine's intrinsic character.

## Interesting facts

- Montée de Tonnerre is often considered to be of near-Grand Cru quality.
- Raveneau uses only old, neutral barrels (average 7-8 years old) to avoid imparting oak flavor.
- The domaine practices manual plowing for soil health and hand-harvests all grapes.
- This wine is extremely rare and sold on strict allocation.
- Total annual production across all Domaine Raveneau wines is around 3,000 cases, making them highly sought-after.

## Food pairing

The wine's high acidity cuts through rich sauces and fatty textures, while its pronounced minerality complements the briny notes of seafood. Its concentration and structure can stand up to richer dishes, and subtle herbal or nutty notes in the wine can echo flavors in the food.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process at Domaine François Raveneau for this Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre is deeply rooted in tradition. Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented using indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks to capture the essence of the terroir. The wine then undergoes an extended aging period of 12-15 months in used, neutral oak barrels (feuillettes), averaging seven to eight years old. This is followed by a further three to six months in stainless steel before bottling. This meticulous, low-intervention approach emphasizes purity, minerality, and the potential for long-term aging, reflecting the estate's commitment to expressing the unique character of Chablis.