Saintayme: Vineyards
The Saintayme vines are located in the eastern sector of the St Emilion appellation, in the commune of St-Etienne-de-Lisse, close to the boundary with the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. This corner of the appellation is undoubtedly overlooked, as I suggested in my introduction to this profile; the ground here is completely covered in a blanket of vines, nevertheless the only other estate of note nearby is the aforementioned Château La Fleur Morange. Many other nearby estates are rather more obscure, their chances of fame perhaps hampered by the sandy terroir.
Indeed, it is only as you look to the north here, to the clay and limestone slopes and plateau, that famous names are to be found. Here there sit Château de Pressac, Château de Ferrand and Château Faugères, and behind those Château Valandraud and Château Mangot. Head north or east of these estates, however, and you will step into Castillon country.
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