Grapes: 100% Chardonnay

Among Raveneau’s fabled holdings, Montée de Tonnerre sits just across the ravine from the Grand Cru slopes — a site so revered it’s often said to produce “Grand Cru in all but name.” The family’s old vines here, rooted in Kimmeridgian limestone, yield Chardonnay of remarkable intensity and poise, expressing the essence of Raveneau’s precise, age-worthy style.

The 2023 vintage was fermented naturally and aged in a mix of stainless steel and seasoned oak barrels. No new wood is used, preserving the clarity and mineral tension that define the house’s wines. Extended aging on fine lees adds subtle texture while maintaining a crystalline, saline edge.

In the glass, Montée de Tonnerre opens with aromas of lemon zest, green apple, and crushed oyster shell, deepening into notes of almond, white flowers, and chalk. The palate is focused and elegant — a seamless balance of citrus fruit, chalky minerality, and gentle creaminess. The finish is long, mouthwatering, and full of quiet power. Beautiful now, it will evolve gracefully for decades.

Decanter: 95 Points