Château Quintus 2016

Enthusiasts who love the winemaking style of Château Haut-Brion will fall in love with the Saint-Émilion estate, Château Quintus.  Though Château Quintus had its official start in 2011, the vineyards have a history that dates well before that time.  Since Domaine Clarence Dillon took over ownership of the estate, impressive changes both in the vineyards and in the vat room have taken place.  Critical acclaim has been trickling in, and the estate is steadily climbing up the ranks.  Château Quintus used to be named Château Tertre Daugay after an ancient watch tower located on the grounds.  The watchtower was there to function as a lookout point, informing villagers of Saint-Émilion of local threats.  The estate was briefly owned by the de Bouard family who owned Château Angélus and changed hands a couple of times until it was purchased by Domaine Clarence Dillon, who saw the potential of this 16 hectare Right Bank vineyard.
 
Château Quintus derives its name from the Latin word for, “five.”  Ancient Roman families would often name their fifth child Quintus.  The Romans were the first to plant vines in the Right Bank region of Saint-Émilion, and the team over at Domaine Clarence Dillon tends to their estates like their own children, so the name is a perfect fit.  The property was initially 15 hectares until in 2013 Domaine Clarence Dillon purchased several plots of vines from Château L’Arrosee.  Domaine Clarence Dillon spared no expense extensively renovating the vat room at Château Quintus, implementing the use of state-of-the-art technology.   Château Quintus is currently being overseen by the energetic Jean Philippe Delmas, who understands the enormous potential of this land. 
 
The special limestone and clay soil is a home to plantings of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  There were initially Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted here, but Domaine Clarence Dillon removed them in favor of more Cabernet Franc.  The majority of the vines are 30 years old, except a few other parcels that are almost 100 years old.  The vineyard is tended to with great care by the same team that oversees Château Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion.  After harvest, the wine is vinified in a mixture of stainless steel tanks and wooden vats.  The wine is then aged in a mixture of new and neutral French oak barrels.  Those who are familiar with the wine of Château Haut-Brion recognize the signature squat bottles that are reminiscent of old decanter bottles.  Château Quintus also has its own unique glass bottle that was inspired by an ancient bottle of Château Haut-Brion discovered in a pirate’s lair.  The bottle has a raised seal engraved on the glass which is an homage to the design found on the old bottle of Haut-Brion. 
 
Château Quintus is a silky, supple wine that benefits from about 8 to 10 years bottle ageing.  The wine needs decanting for about 1-2 hours to reveal its delicate nuances.  With each passing vintage, the wine improves.  Without a doubt, the trajectory of this promising estate is a very exciting one.

"The deep ruby-colored 2016 Château Quintus is thrilling stuff, and my money is on it being the finest to date. Saturated purple in color, powerful notes of blackberries, currants, spicy tobacco, and a touch graphite all flow to a deep, rounded, sexy Saint-Emilion that’s beautifully balanced. It shows the class of the vintage and is capable of lasting for two decades or more." - Jeb Dunnuck, (03/01/2019), Ratings: 95, Drink: 2019-2039

"The 2016 Quintus is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. It has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and features a quiet intensity of chocolate-covered cherries, warm mulberries and plum preserves scents with underlying hints of dried lavender, star anise and potpourri. Medium-bodied, the palate is packed with perfumed black fruit layers, framed by seductively plush tannins and great freshness and finishing with fantastic length." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, (11/30/2018), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2019-2034

"The sixth vintage under the wing of Haut-Brion. The vines didn't block in the heat here, which is why the alcohols are generous, but this is absolutely perfectly balanced. The generosity of the ripe blackberry and cassis fruit stretches out with the juice running right through it, joined by some exotic spice and grilled oak touches through the mid-palate. But they never overwhelm the gentle extraction, and overall this is an extremely successful Quintus that leaves a beautifully fragrant quality in the mouth. 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc." - Jane Anson, (04/24/2017), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2027-2050

"I have to admit a personal preference for this wine, which is deep coloured, dense and profound. It has huge fruit weight but elegance as well, the tannins present but fine. The finish is long and persistent and there's refreshment, too. The late season warmth with cool nights could have contributed to the balance of this wine. The yield was a healthy 45.1hl/ha." - James Lawther MW, Decanter, (11/06/2019), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2024-2042