Farr Vintners Logo

Saintayme/Saintem 2014

Tasting Notes

The 2014 Saintayme has a delightful, fresh and lively bouquet with blackberry and that subtle tincture of cold stone. If anything, this has gained vigor since I tasted it from barrel. The palate is fresh on the entry with grainy tannin, slightly savory in style with commendable structure on the finish. Classic Saint Emilion from Denis Durantou that will drink well for longer than most people will allow! Drink date 2018 - 2030

90
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (Interim En), April 2017

Aromas of pure fruit and hints of chocolate follow through to a medium body, firm and silky tannins and a savory finish. Very pretty now.

91
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2017

This sports a slightly exotic core of raspberry and blackberry fruit, backed by a roasted apple wood note and a jolt of licorice on the finish, imparting up-front appeal and a bit of mid-term aging capacity. Drink now through 2024. 2,000 cases made.

91
James Molesworth, WineSpectator.com, February 2017

A varietal Merlot sourced from clay and gravel soils, this is one of the best value Saint Emilions, made by Denis Durantou. It's got plenty of stuffing and concentration for an inexpensive wine, with aromatic, toasty oak, some orange zest and bright acidity.

91
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2015
Read more tasting notes...

The Saintayme 2014, picked September 29-October 9, is a Saint Emilion of pure Merlot aged in 30% new oak. There is a fragrant bouquet of dark berry fruit with hints of cold stone coming through; elegant and focused. The palate is medium-bodied and structured on the grainy-textured entry. Tarry in the mouth, broody compared to recent vintages, with a slightly austere finish. I like the long aftertaste here that tingles in the mouth. This is a fine contribution to the vintage courtesy of Denis Durantou. Drink: 2016 - 2022

88/90
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (218), April 2015

A juicy red with blackberry, licorice and leather character. Full and balanced. Wonderful depth.

90/91
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2015
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.