This wine is an homage and the continuation of a series of great wines from the estates owned by the late, great, and profoundly humble Denis Durantou (1957–2020).

Durantou spent decades continually honing one of the greatest wines in all of Bordeaux with L’Eglise Clinet, a wine that over the past two decades has received multiple 100-point scores and a litany of 99-point ratings from nearly every major critic on the planet. Simply put, Durantou had the magic touch.

When Denis expanded his portfolio beyond Pomerol, he remained true to his deep knowledge of the Right Bank. Among the properties he acquired—including holdings in Lalande-de-Pomerol and Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, one of the true standouts is Saintayme, a vineyard in one of Saint-Émilion’s coolest microclimates: Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse, also home to the likes of Château Valandraud and Fleur Cardinale.

Produced by the same skilled team behind L’Eglise Clinet and, to our knowledge, crafted at the château, Saintayme is made from 100% Merlot sourced from 35-year-old vines. This corner of Saint-Émilion features deeper clay-limestone soils, ideal for Merlot to flourish. The grapes are hand-harvested, carefully sorted, fermented in stainless steel vats, and aged in 30% new French oak, with the balance aged in one-year-old barrels.

The 2020 vintage is both historic and heartfelt, marking the first full vintage crafted without Denis himself, but under the guidance of his daughter, Noëmie Durantou Reilhac, who has stepped into her father’s role with passion, precision, and profound respect for his vision. Noëmie’s deep involvement and winemaking talent have ensured that the Durantou legacy not only endures, but thrives.