SAINTAYME

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)