2017 Saintayme

92 POINTS

James Suckling

Ripe fruit with chocolate, spice and hints of raisins. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. Really delicious. Drink now.

90 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2017 Saintayme was picked between 29 September and 9 October, matured in 30% new oak. It has a well defined, cranberry and blackberry scented nose, very natural and elegant, the oak neatly intertwined with the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannin, but very well balanced and surfeit with charm. You could almost run away and drink this already! But for now, we should wait until at least Denis Durantou has bottled it.

90 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Saintayme delivers expressive black cherries, mulberries and boysenberries scents with hints of rosehip tea, tilled soil and spice box. Medium-bodied, the palate has plenty of juicy red and black fruits with a plush texture and refreshing finish. Drinking Window : 2020 - 2032

90 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

Bright and fresh, with a beam of raspberry compote and a judicious overlay of anise-infused toast. A twinge of plum skin on the finish gives this a slightly extracted feel. Solid.—J.M.

Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

Red fruits with a hint of earth and citrus on the front end. In the middle, you have a medium-bodied palate that offers spicy, red fruits, cocoa and another dash of that entertaining citrus in the finish. This forward wine was produced with 100% Merlot. You can enjoy this early in life.

Jane Anson - Decanter

This is good quality wine from Denis Durantou, but not generous - we are again on the more austere side of 2017 here. It needs some time to open and to show itself, taking a classical, intellectual approach and showing that even 100% Merlot can have walls. The fruit has a classical sway, with firm tannins that have a lovely sense of upward motion. Picked between 26 September and 6 October. The wine is matured in one-year-old barrels. 47,000 bottles produced. Drinking Window 2025 - 2036

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2017 Saintayme is an attractive wine with plenty of near- and medium-term appeal. Juicy dark red and purplish fruit notes are nicely pushed forward here. The 2017 offers lovely immediacy, even if some of the fruit richness tapers off a touch on the finish. Readers should expect an especially racy, fruity style.

Jacques Perrin - Vinifera

Nez fruité, d’une belle intensité. Très jolie bouche, sphérique, sur le fruit, construite sur une texture douce et une finale très plaisante.