A glorious iteration of the superb Clos de l’Echelier cuvée, coming from a 2.5ha vineyard of 40-year-old Cabernet Franc surrounded by a 300-year-old wall. Having implemented organic farming in the 1990s, and biodynamic farming in the early 2000s, this is a key player in the production of refined, terroir-driven Cabernet Franc (and Chenin Blanc for that matter) from the Loire. This 2019 is currently showing voluptuous blackcurrant and delicate tomato leaf aromas, with a succulent, mouth-filling, gorgeously juicy, sweet blackberry flavour and an earthy undertone. Smouldering violets and peppery plums; this is serious stuff. A wine that’s sensational now but will also keep for the long haul.

The 2019 Saumur Champigny Clos de L'Echelier is round and gently calm, almost meditative, but the chalky soil keeps things fresh and moving along despite the warmth of the growing season. There's delicacy on the midpalate and chalky finesse and fine tension on the lengthy finish, which is scented with red fruits and flowers. Outstanding stuff.

93+ From Dampierre sur Loire and cultivated on Turonian clay-limestone, 2019 Saumur Champigny Clos de l'Échelier opens with an intense and slightly toasty aroma of blue and red berries intermingled with nougat, chocolate and toasty but also stony or even iodine notes as well as discreet sweet, red paprika notes. Gentle, round and intense on the palate, this is a supple, lush, fruit-intense yet pure and vivacious Cabernet with ripe tannins that are perfectly intertwined with the salty acidity. This is a Cabernet from Champigny with great purity, freshness, finesse and grip. - SR