2016 Saintem

The 2016 Saintayme has a well defined bouquet of black cherry, boysenberry, mint and violet aromas that gradually unfurl in the glass; the oak is neatly integrated. The well-balanced palate features supple tannins. A full-bodied Saint-Émilion with grip and muscle, missing some finesse and tension on the finish. Then again, maybe its burly character stands it in good stead for the long term. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Checking in as all Merlot and made by Denis Durantou (of l’Eglise Clinet), the stunning 2016 Saintayme knocks it out of the park. Deep purple-colored with a rock star nose of plums, black raspberries, crushed violets, and some obvious minerality, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, an elegant texture, good mid-palate concentration, and a great finish. It’s complex, elegant, and powerful. Bravo! Readers should snatch up this beauty and enjoy bottles over the coming decade.

The 2016 Saintayme is quite deep in color. The bouquet unfurls gradually to reveal blackberry, briar and light cedar aromas, all gentle and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins on the entry, a slightly chalky texture and a fine bead of acidity. This is a more masculine Saintayme compared to other vintages, displaying more grip and salinity toward the finish. I suspect that, given its amazing value, this will be consumed early, but personally, I would stash it away for three or four years, because it has more to give.