The Raveneau 2006 Chablis Vaillons combines the best of both worlds: the irresistibly generous cherry and peach fruitiness of the Montmains with the thought-provoking mineral side of the Montmains. A truly intricate interplay of flavors entertains you: iodine, chalk, toasted pistachio, and cherry pit are all suggested in the dynamic, gripping finish of this easily ten-year wine. Bernard Raveneau is an unabashed partisan of his 2005s – and no wonder, based on the subset of those that I tasted, including a magnificent Valmur which he rightly terms “complete” and “close to his ideal.” Raveneau is less effusive in praise of his 2006s – each of which I tasted from a selection of barrels – opining that lavish fruit and richness are precisely this collection’s fortes. I think he underestimates the depth of his own 2006s, and only hope I have opportunity to revisit some of them in five or ten years. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524