Echalas Blanc Claude Riffault 2020 (750ML)

95-96 Points, Stephan Reinhardt, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2020 Echalas En Blanc offers a super intense but fine and almost classic bouquet of bright (passion) fruits and crushed flint stones. From the nose I wouldn't think this is a Vin de France that is not classified as Sancerre AOP. Strange world we are living in! On the palate, the 2020 Echalas reveals fine and refreshing phenols, yes, but nothing disturbing here since the wine has power and concentration as well as this stimulating pink grapefruit bitterness and freshness. This is a lush, round and elegant, very intense and powerful Sancerre with fine tannins, vegetal notes and an enormously firm and refreshing structure. It is possibly not fully dry but in perfect inner balance. The finish is powerful, concentrated, juicy and tannic, with fine bitters, revealing great aging potential. This is an undercover Sancerre giant with lots of grip and (Pinot Noir) character as well as a very long and tensioned finish. Styria's Armin Tement, who also likes to intermingle the phenols of Sauvignon Blanc with the salts of the terroir and fully ripe fruit, would love it. To be bottled in March, tasted over a period of 11 days (!) in January 2022." 01/22