2025 Saintayme (St-Emilion)

You can easily read the terroir here, feel the juice and slate texture of the St Emilion soils, so different from the character of Pomerol in this particular vintage. Here expect rose petals, rose bud, blueberry, saffron, orange peel. Harvest September 10 to 20. 40% new oak. Harvest September 3 to 12, Noemie Durantou winemaker. 92 points

The 2025 Saintayme is a gorgeous Saint-Emilion from the Durantou sisters. This is the first year in which the blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc as opposed to the 100% Merlot of past years. Intense red-toned fruit, flowers, citrus and spice - all Franc signatures - soar across the palate. The 2025 is vibrant and so expressive right out of the gate. It`s a total delight. 91-93 points

The 2025 Saintayme was picked from 20 to 10 September and, for the first time, there is Cabernet Franc in the blend from a parcel that is usually put into a generic blend. It has a light bouquet at first, opening nicely in the glass, just a touch of strawberry. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins on the entry. Light red fruit, leaner than Durantou`s other cuvees, with an easy-going finish. 86-88 points