Farr Vintners Logo

Saintayme/Saintem 2015

Tasting Notes

A juicy and delicious red with red tile, plums and cherries. Full body, round tannins and a long and juicy finish. Absurdly good for the price. Love it. Drink now or hold. Better in 2020.

93
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2018

Saintayme 2015 is 100% Merlot and has a deep garnet color. It springs from the glass with bold notions of baked black plums, chocolate-covered cherries, and boysenberry preserves, followed by hints of lilacs, licorice, and smoked meats. Full-bodied, the palate is big, rich and decadently fruity with a plush texture and a long, spicy finish.

93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, November 2022

Cheapest wine of this flight.
Tasted blind. Notably dark crimson. Not much nose. Round and satiny. Lots of polish and work. Fresh though not that complex. Neat finish.
Drink 2023-2032

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2019

Checking in as 100% Merlot, the 2015 Saintayme from Denis Durantou is another terrific value from this vintage. Loaded with notions of red currants, black cherries, dried earth and hints of toasty oak, it has beautiful fruit, a plump, mouth-filling texture, ripe tannin a great finish. It has the ripe, sexy fruit of the vintage and will keep for 7-8 years, if not longer. 2018 - 2026

90
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, November 2017

Sweet and ripe on the nose the palate has a fleshy suppleness at the start. Firmer in the middle the tannins are ripe but definite and although supple and rich on the back palate the finish is lighter with cinnamon spiciness. 2022-23

88/91
Derek Smedley MW, DerekSmedleyMW.co.uk, April 2016

Sourced from sandier soils, this is a Merlot for Merlot lovers: sweet, supple and fruit-packed,
with ripe tannins, stylish cinnamon oak and undertones of liquorice and Asian spices. Great
value, too. Drink: 2020-28

91
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2016

There is a lovely directness to Saintayme this year with slightly charry, dark chocolate-tinged fruit and a dense, blackberry
compote palate. The fruit is lush and the finish is appropriately tense. Not overly complex, but generous and well-balanced
this will reward in the short to medium term.

16.5
Matthew Jukes, Matthew Jukes' Blog, April 2016
Read more tasting notes...

The 2015 Saintayme is pure Merlot picked between 29 September and 9 October, cropped at 45 hl/ha and raised in 30% new oak. It has a gorgeous bouquet with blackberry and cranberry fruit, a touch of vanilla emanating from the new oak that is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with good depth, a "solid" Saintayme, a pleasant chewiness with a feisty dark berry, licorice-tinged finish. This comes recommended - a fine Saint Emilion from the hands of Denis Durantou. Drink 2018-2030

90/92
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (224), April 2016

Dramatically dark crimson. Very opulent nose. Pretty aromatics. Very flattering sweet palate entry but something a little suggestive of a dry cinnamon stick on the finish. Pretty dry. Shame because the start is so charming. Just 30% new oak, apparently.
Drink 2021-2029

16
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2016
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.