2017 Saintem

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.

The 2017 Saintayme was picked between 29 September and 9 October, matured in 30% new oak. It has a well defined, cranberry and blackberry scented nose, very natural and elegant, the oak neatly intertwined with the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannin, but very well balanced and surfeit with charm. You could almost run away and drink this already! But for now, we should wait until at least Denis Durantou has bottled it.

Denis Durantou's 2017 Saintayme is plump and juicy in the glass. There is lovely depth to the succulent red cherry and plum fruit. Today, the oak does not feel fully integrated because the malos were late and, consequently, the wine went into barrel a bit later than normal. That should not be an issue in time, but it does penalize the wine a bit in the early going. As always, Saintayme is 100% Merlot. Tasted two times.