Saintayme - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

Le Figaro

92-94 / 100

the6/2/2021

Un superbe vin ample, savoureux, complexe, généreux, de fruits noirs. Les tannins prennent de la place, ce qui ne retire rien au charme de la bouche soyeuse, veloutée, avec beaucoup de finesse,s et une finale juteuse.

Vinous

91-93 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Saintayme is bright, punchy and wonderfully vibrant. Sweet perfumed floral notes, red berry fruit, cedar and cinnamon lend terrific aromatic brightness. In 2020, Saintayme is a bit nervy and less fleshy than it can be. This is the first vintage made without microbullage, a technique that was previously used in some of the tanks here. I expect that will serve it well in the years to come, as the 2020 has an extra level of purity that is striking. As always, Saintayme is a selection from a 15-hectare property in Saint-Émilion's Saint Etienne de Lys district, made with a Burgundian approach in which the wine is vinified by the owner and then raised by the Durantou family.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91-93 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

Another gem from Denis Durantou, the 2020 Saintayme should be snatched up by savvy readers, as it’s a year-in, year-out value, and in a vintage where Merlot excelled, it’s a real standout. Black cherries, mulberries, camphor, chocolate, and subtle oak notes all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, balanced, and has a great mix of richness and freshness. Drink bottles over the coming 10-12 years.

Vinous

87-89 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Saintayme is more backward on the nose than expected and demands coaxing from the glass. Eventually it offers tightly wound blackberry, wild hedgerow and black truffle scents, an inviting marine/seaweed scent emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins that frame the sweet black cherry, bilberry and licorice notes. Quite linear toward the finish, it does not fan out like the 2018, although it feels long and persistent. Give this Saint-Émilion 3–4 years in bottle if you can.

Decanter.com

92 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

Deep crimson colour, plenty of deep bilberry fruits, firm tannins and good tension; a lot to like about this wine. Closes in on the finish, pretty serious in feel overall, muscular, but has the deft kick upwards that you find in many limestone-led wines in the vintage. The first year with Constance and Noemie Durantou at the helm, having taken over from their late father Denis (Noemie in particular had also worked alongside him for several years as winemaker, along with cellar master Olivier Gautrat).

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Medium-bodied, focusing on its freshness, approachability and ripe, sweet fruits, the wine offers wet earth, flowers, red berries, oak and a soft, sweet, silky, fresh, palate presence. Made from 100% Merlot, there is a lot of charm and early drinking character here. 90-92

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

The 2020 Saintayme is 100% Merlot, harvested between the 28th and the 30th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.5% and is aging in French oak barrels, 30% new. Deep purple-black colored, it needs a little coaxing to unlock scents of tar, forest floor and aniseed, over a core of baked black plums, blackberry pie and chocolate-covered cherries, plus a touch of dried mint. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with muscular black fruits and loads of earthy accents, framed by firm, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering minty note. 63,000 bottles are expected to be made.

Anthocyanes

91-93 / 100

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Fruits noirs frais, des notes de mure, de myrtille, de cassis également. En bouche, les tanins sont structurants, la bouche est juteuse, fraiche, sur l'allonge avec une belle fraicheur. Sur la tension. Belle bouteille en devenir.

Bernard Burtschy

94-95 / 100

byBernard Burtschythe5/10/2021

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2021

A gorgeous red with so much black fruit and salty, mineral character. It’s medium-to full-bodied with creamy, polished tannins and a long finish. The precision and fine texture is impressive. One of the best I have had for a while.