Saumur Champigny Clos de L'Echelier, Domaine des Roches Neuves 2019

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.

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. Tasted in June 2021. Drink 2024-2037.