The 2015 Chablis 1Er Cru Vaillons was difficult to pin down last year from barrel when it trailed behind the other premier crus. Of course, it was just playing a trick on this writer because it has blossomed into one fabulous Vaillons. It is blessed with a pretty, wet limestone-scented bouquet, very open and transparent with a touch of spice developing with aeration. The palate skips along, fresh and tensile with a keen thread of acidity. I love the tension here that enlivens this Chablis from start to finish and lends the finish real energy and persistence. What a great Vaillons this is turning out to be and a bit of a revelation after its showing from barrel. - NM

Dense nose which lacks some clarity of fruit with the wood too much in evidence. The palate is rich, spicy, and much more vibrant than the nose. It has clarity and freshness, with racy acidity and a chewy, mineral finish. This is well balanced and long, and should age well. Drinking Window 2017 - 2026 Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/burgundy/domaine-francois-raveneau-chablis-1er-cru-vaillons-2015-8896#frRL5PlLzortJkjE.99

The 2015 Vaillons is fairly ripe in personality, but couples this with impressive length and grip on the backend. The bouquet is pure, refined and succulent, wafting from the glass in a blend of lemon, apple, chalky minerality, beeswax, white lilies and incipient notes of candied lemon peel in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, complex and very nicely balanced, with a fine core and excellent energy and grip on the long and vibrant finish. Fine juice.

There are lovely spice nuances present on the cool but ripe nose that combines notes of mineral reduction and tidal pool with those of various white orchard fruit scents. The refined middle weight flavors are also cool and energetic with very fine depth and length on the balanced finish that is unusually dry for the vintage. Lovely.