Château Saintayme, St Émilion,

Denis Durantou is famed for his wonderful Pomerol estate, Chateau L'Eglise Clinet, but he has spread his wings to St Emilion, Lalande de Pomerol and Castillon, and it is perhaps in these communes that he has best demonstrated his Midas touch. Year after year, the likes of La Chenade and Montlandrie have topped our best value poll, and now we are seeing Saintayme and Cruzelles appearing there too. This 100% Merlot cuvee from a 9 hectare plot offers intense fruit pastel aromas, fine herbs, black cherries with a hint of sandalwood and liquorice. It is mighty impressive with a big juicy core of fruit and a deep, gravelly, earthy minerality. There is plenty of intensity to the fruit, a good sappy quality, and really suave tannins. Bravo.