2004 Chablis Chapelot

Fermented and aged in one- and two- year-old barrels, the 2004 Chablis Chapelot is the first Raveneau wine I’ve encountered that was significantly marked by wood. Its oaky, smoky mineral aromas lead to a fresh personality laden with spiced oak flavors. This light to medium-bodied effort tightens in the finish on zesty acidity. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. The Raveneau brothers were in the process of bottling their 2004s when I visited the estate in late April, 2006. “This is a vintage of pleasure, the 2004s are simple wines, they do not have a powerful constitution,” said Bernard Raveneau, who concentrates on vineyard work and handles the vinifications. (His brother Francois deals with all the tractor work as well as the administrative issues.) He reiterated what I’d heard in all of Burgundy’s cellars, that the yields had gotten totally out of control during the rain-plagued month of August. “We harvested 70 hectoliters per hectare on average across the entire estate. We’ve never seen such a plethoric vintage!” Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524