Château Saintayme, St Émilion, 2022
"The finesse and architecture of the 2019 with the fruit and flesh of 2018" is how Noémie Durantou explains 2023. This was our first appointment of the week and it certainly raised our expectations. The entire range is exceptional. Saintayme as always is a 100% Merlot cuvee, the last plot to be picked due to its cool terroir. Expressive with lots of black cherry, smoke and liquorice notes. There's a juicy core of spicy dark fruits supported by supple tannins. This will be a great value for early to mid-term drinking.
critic reviews
This is 100% Merlot as always, and the élevage was in 30% new oak. This has confident and forward fruit expression on the nose, all blackberry, blueberry and cherry, with a desiccated edge, and a touch of toasty warmth. A polished, modest substance on the palate, medium-bodied with a rich core of dark summer fruits, concentrated with a touch of confit depth, and a rich backbone of finely knit tannins. A robust example of the appellation, with powdery and chalky substance, and a energy which will need only a handful of years in bottle to bed in. Tasted twice. The alcohol is 14.4% on analysis.
Plenty of depth on the nose here, not easy in a vintage where alcohols run high, that can cut off aromatics and terroir expression. Enjoyable, reserved, great quality, love the limestone scrap, plenty of character, touch of floral notes that underline a rise through the palate. Takes its time. 30% new oak, harvest September 17 to October 3. Tasted twice.
The 2022 Saintayme conveys a sense of joy on the nose, with finely delineated vivacious black cherries, wild strawberry and a hint of cola. The medium-bodied palate is well balanced and quite elegant in style, with more black than red fruit, grainy tannins and a touch of white pepper on the finish. It feels malleable in the mouth and will drink slightly earlier than I expected out of barrel.
From a later-ripening site in Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse, the 2022 Saintayme was picked between September 17 and October 3. Offering up a rich aromatic palette featuring aromas of rich cherries, berries, licorice and toasty oak, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and concentrated, with youthfully firm, chalky tannins that assert themselves on the finish.