Château Saintayme, St Émilion, 2017
Denis always has a catchphrase for each vintage. He describes the 2013s as 'unspittable' wines. It's a bon mot. 'Unspittable', because there is so little wine it would be a crime to, and 'unspittable' as the wines are gourmand and cry out to be consumed! Just 1000 cases of this delicious 100% Merlot cuvee will be produced. Fragrant summer fruits, warm fruit compote, packed with cherry liqueur notes - this is silky, seductive and is enveloped in ripe gravelly tannins.
critic reviews
Saintayme 2017 is 100% merlot and has a medium to deep garnet color. It soars with delightful scents of raspberry coulis, black cherries, and warm plums, plus hints of lavender and bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied the palate is lively and refreshing with elegant black fruit layers and a fine-grained texture, finishing with a minerally lift.
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.
The 2017 Saintayme was picked from 26 September until 6 October and matured in second fill barrels. It has a lifted bouquet with red berry fruit laced with truffle and smoky aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, quite spicy for this cru with hints of truffle and liquorice towards the finish.