SAINTAYME

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. Drinking range: 2020 - 2028 Rating: 91 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com(May 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. Drinking range: 2021 - 2029 Rating: 16 Jancis Robinson MW OBE - www.JancisRobinson.com(Apr 2016)

100% Merlot selected by Denis Durantou of L’Eglise-Clinet from a vineyard in St-Etienne-de-Lisse. Fragrant, dark fruit with notes of blackcurrant and blackberry. Generous and perfumed on the palate with a firmness of tannin behind. Real pleasure and value. Drinking range: 2019 - 2027 Rating: 89 James Lawther MW, decanter.com(Apr 2016)

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. Drinking range: 2018 - 2030 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.robertparker.com(Apr 2016)

Denis Durantou's 2015 Saintayme, 100% Merlot, is dark, exuberant and wonderfully open-knit. Dark red cherry, plum, mocha, spice and new leather give the 2015 much of its seductive, welcoming personality. The purity of the fruit is striking. Because of the protracted malos, the wines went into barrel late, and that shows the slightly angular contours that are the result of oak that has not fully integrated. There is good potential here. Rating: 87-90 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com(Apr 2016)

100% Merlot. The fruit was picked from September 29th until October 9th, with a yield of 45 hl/ha. This will see 30% new oak for the élevage. A dark, spicy, aromatic nose, with peppery cherry fruit. The palate is textured, soft, with a lovely dark concentration and a firm wrapping of ripe tannins. It has plenty of energy too though, giving it some lift and vigour. I like the dark, lightly roasted, spicy fruit, touched with notes of toasted almond and grilled pips, the concentration of the vintage showing though. It culminates in a lovely, fine-grained, tannic finish. Very pure. A second sample poured by Denis, freshly opened, was even better. A top vintage for Saintayme. Rating: 15.5-16.5/20 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com(Apr 2016)

Delivers a blast of dark plum, fig and boysenberry fruit pushed from behind by ganache and licorice notes, with a long finish. Not shy in style, but integrated and caressing in feel. Rating: 90—93 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator(Apr 2016)