Chateau Saintayme Saint-Emilion 2014

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.

94 Points - Decanter    A Denis Durantou wine that is 100% Merlot, located in Saint-Etienne-de-Lisse. Because Durantou is so attuned to terroir, you get a masterclass here on the effect of limestone. At first this is austere to the point that you are scraping your tongue along a slate wall. I know I am a fan of that style, but wow, this is intense! It showcases stunningly tight tannins, with a freshness that flows right through the bilberry and blackberry fruits. Needs time and then some.