I just got back from a week in Europe–Lake Como (Bellagio), Paris, and London–with my wife and kids (ages 4 and 2). We were there to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. Most of the trip was spent with the kids at trattorias/bistros drinking local wines (including lots of delicious Valtellina in Como area), but we did get out to dinner at The Ledbury in London for a proper anniversary celebration. Everything about the dining experience was perfect. That included the wine. The Ledbury’s list is exceptional and well-priced, and the 07 Raveneau Valmur we ordered–chosen for the wedding year, and the fact that Raveneau is my wife’s favorite wine–was memorable. I’m sure my impression was enhanced by the setting and occasion, but this was one of the better whites I’ve had in memory, and it will still improve. Fairly priced at 275gbp on the list.
2007 Raveneau Valmur
Sensational. This is still young, still a little tight, and still a bit oaky, but those are nits. This is next-level Chablis. I’ve mostly stopped buying Raveneau due to the price, but bottles like this remind me that Raveneau may well make the best wine on earth. This has everything. Super-expressive nose of citrus and minerals and an intensely mineral, full-bodied, hyper-concentrated palate of lemon cream and just the essence of exotic fruits. The best Raveneau wines are uniquely opulent, and this fits the bill. Serious and classy and grand cru to the core. To be clear, this has room for improvement as it becomes more open-knit and spherical, but it’s stellar now. It got better with air. This exceeded my high expectations. 95