| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This Saint Emilion from the Durantou family is labelled "Saintayme" or sometimes "Saintem". This always modestly priced cuvée comes from a 9 hectare parcel of 35 year old Merlot vines in Saint Etienne de Lisse.
The 2022 is 100% Merlot as usual, with ageing in 30% new oak. This was picked 17th September to 3rd October as the vineyard is naturally cool.
This is a solid and structured Saintayme, with lots of terracotta and dark fruits on the nose and palate. It's medium- to full-bodied with a fine, chewy tannin backbone and a flavorful finish. Impressive. Pure merlot. Drink after 2028.
Bright ruby in the glass with brambly fruit and a hint of tobacco on the nose, this should offer excellent value for money again in 2022. Bright with red fruit on the palate, there is a light crunch of tannin that quickly melts into the wine. Juicy, with a blend of fleshy plums and floral cherry blossom, this will be a hit right out of the gate and drink well throughout its first few years.
The 2022 Saintayme is 100% Merlot and has a deep garnet-purple color. It bursts from the glass with bombastic scents of blackberry preserves, juicy black cherries, and chocolate mint, leading to wafts of black pepper, tar, and clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of exuberant black fruits, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with a real skip in its step.
Plenty of depth on the nose here, not easy in a vintage where alcohols run high, that can cut off aromatics and terroir expression. Enjoyable, reserved, great quality, love the limestone scrap, plenty of character, touch of floral notes that underline a rise through the palate. Takes its time. 30% new oak, harvest September 17 to October 3. Tasted twice.
100% Merlot. Cask sample.
Fragrant and relatively fresh. Alcohol heightens the mid-palate sweetness. Tannins a little chewy and dry on the finish. (JL) 14.4%
Drink 2026– 2032
So much sea salt and crunchy fruit with berry and grape character. Some orange, too. Medium-bodied, bright and vivid. Lively finish.
Intense muscular contraction to the tannins on the opening beats, the fruit gets creamy as it opens, with vivid raspberry reflections and plenty of mouthwating salinity. This is a pretty serious Saintayme, great quality and great value. Olivier Gautrat alongside Noémie Durantou. Harvest September 17 to October 3 (extremely late for the vintage, because cool clays in a cooler part of St Etienne de Lisse, something you also see in the generous 50hl/h yields), 30% new oak.
