2022, Château Saintayme, SAINT-ÉMILION Grand Cru

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot

This Saint Emilion from the Durantou family is 100% Merlot as usual, with ageing in 30% new oak. This always modestly priced cuvée comes from a 9 hectare parcel of 35 year old Merlot vines in Saint Etienne de Lisse.

This is a pretty serious Saintayme, great quality and great value. 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. Olivier Gautrat alongside Noémie Durantou. 93 Jane Anson, Decanter.

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. 90-93 Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintnerrs, London.

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. 90-92 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW.

Drinking Window: 2025 - 2039