2016 Domaine Francois Raveneau, Chablis Premier Cru, Forets

The 2016 Chablis Forêt 1er Cru is a little more tight-lipped on the nose compared to the Les Montmains, requiring more coaxing from the glass. That could be a sign of bottle shock. The palate is very promising with a crisp line of acidity, gentle grip and a live-wire, spicy finish that matches the exotic style of the vintage. This "warms up" in the glass and shows great potential, but may require your patience.

(the yield from these roughly 35-year-old vines was in the normal range of 45 to 50 hectoliters per hectare, according to Isabelle Raveneau): Pale yellow. Classic Chablis notes of citrus fruits, menthol and white flowers, with an attractive "cold" aspect that I did not find in the previous wines. Then gentle on the palate in spite of its freshness, offering flavors of soft citrus fruits, menthol and powdered stone. Not a particularly fruity style but pliant. Isabelle noted that these vines, like those in the family's Butteaux holding, are very healthy.