2020 Saintayme
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Deep crimson colour, plenty of deep bilberry fruits, firm tannins and good tension; a lot to like about this wine. Closes in on the finish, pretty serious in feel overall, muscular, but has the deft kick upwards that you find in many limestone-led wines in the vintage. The first year with Constance and Noemie Durantou at the helm, having taken over from their late father Denis (Noemie in particular had also worked alongside him for several years as winemaker, along with cellar master Olivier Gautrat).
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Saintayme is 100% Merlot, harvested between the 28th and the 30th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.5% and is aging in French oak barrels, 30% new. Deep purple-black colored, it needs a little coaxing to unlock scents of tar, forest floor and aniseed, over a core of baked black plums, blackberry pie and chocolate-covered cherries, plus a touch of dried mint. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with muscular black fruits and loads of earthy accents, framed by firm, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering minty note. 63,000 bottles are expected to be made.
A gorgeous red with so much black fruit and salty, mineral character. It?s medium-to full-bodied with creamy, polished tannins and a long finish. The precision and fine texture is impressive. One of the best I have had for a while.
100% Merlot. Brand from the Durantou (L�Eglise-Clinet) stable. Cask sample. Zesty and fresh on the nose with berry-fruit aromas. Round and sweet but juicy as well, the tannins light and grainy. Bit of alcohol on the finish but consistent in quality and style.