Raveneau Butteaux 1998 vs. 2005 – Battle of the Greats

Mature white Burgundy can be a tricky proposition. Even with the great names, you never quite know what to expect. Some bottles develop beautifully, while others seem tired or are already well past their peak. That is why I tend to be cautious about making overly confident predictions regarding how these wines will age. This past weekend, however, I was fortunate enough to experience what is possible when everything comes together perfectly. I was served Raveneau's Chablis Premier Cru Butteaux blind not once, but twice—first the 1998, followed later by the 2005. Two great wines from the same vineyard and producer, separated by seven years. It was the older of the two, in particular, that left me virtually speechless.