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Saintayme/Saintem 2023

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

This Saint Emilion from the Durantou family is labelled "Saintayme" or sometimes "Saintem". This always modestly priced cuvée comes from a 9 hectare parcel of 35 year old Merlot vines in Saint Etienne de Lisse.

The 2023 is 100% Merlot as usual, with ageing in 30% new oak. This was picked late from 27th September to 4th October as the vineyard is naturally cool. 5500 case production

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Vignobles Denis Durantou

Label

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Saintayme is pure Merlot, as usual, picked between September 27 and October 4 and matured in 30% new oak. This is quite lush on the nose with black plum and light blueberry scents and fine purity. It clocks in at 14.6% alcohol, but that is nicely disguised. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly powdery texture, moderate weight and good balance. There’s perhaps slightly less complexity on the finish compared to the 2022 at this stage last year.

89/91
Neal Martin, vinous.com, April 2024

A 100% Merlot, the 2023 Saintayme evokes aromas of dark wild berries, mulberries, licorice and pencil lead, followed by a round, supple and juicy palate with a fleshy core of fruit and dense, rich tannins that assert themselves with a structured finish.

88/90
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate, April 2024

A bright ruby colour with a streak of juicy red fruits on the nose, this is a supple, forward wine from the Durantou team. Polished tannins, bright red berry fruit, a lick of vanilla and a streak of fine acidity form the palate. This is bursting with juicy character and will drink well when young. Good value.

89/91
Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, April 2024

Lovely freshness and balance with berries, orange peel and crushed stone. It's medium-bodied with nice, round tannins. Pure merlot.

92/93
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2024

Saintayme 2023 is 100% Merlot and has a deep garnet-purple color. It zooms out of the glass with ready-to-go notes of baked plums, black cherries, and boysenberries, followed by underlying hints of dark chocolate and bay leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a great intensity of black fruit and savory layers, with a firm backbone of grainy tannins and lively acidity, finishing long and savory.

89/91
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2024

Medium intensity ruby, austere tannins on the opening, this has lemongrass and slate, juicy raspberry and grilled spice notes, slow and steady unrolling through the palate. Plenty to love.

92
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, April 2024

The 2023 Saintayme, 100% Merlot, is a deep, serious wine. There's a real core of inner strength here. Dark red fruit, cedar, spice and dried flowers open with some coaxing, but the 2023 impresses most with its overall poise. Pretty floral overtones add brightness. The 2023 is a very fine Saintayme.

91/93
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, April 2024

100% Merlot. From parcels in St-Étienne-de-Lisse. Cask sample.
Red-fruit notes. Fresh but light in fruit weight. Acidity quite prominent. (JL) 14.6%
Drink 2026 – 2032

15.5
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, May 2024
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.