Château Quintus 2021

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.

"A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Quintus delivers a vibrant bouquet with aromas of dark berries, plums, cassis and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied palate that's layered and lively, built around powdery tannins and concluding with a saline, sapid finish. Given the characteristics of the vintage, this wine stands out as a remarkable achievement, rivaling some more heralded years at this address." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, Ratings: 93

"The 2021 Quintus is the most elegant wine I have ever tasted here, by a wide measure. Nearly half of this fruit is from the former Grand Pontet property, and that fruit seems to bring a measure of aromatic intensity and freshness these wines have lacked in some vintages. All the elements are so well balanced. Bright saline notes linger on the finish. This is impressive for the year." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (05/11/2022), Ratings: 92-94

"Fragrant, perfumed strawberries and red cherries on the nose, they have a sweet note to them, so welcoming, really bursting out of the glass. Smooth but also quite sharp on the palate with a rush of red fruits - cherries, raspberries, redcurrants and plums fill the palate - with mouthwatering acidity balanced by touches of wet stone minerality, iodine, graphite and pencil. You definitely get the feeling of the terroir here in the chalky saltiness, as well as the stalky, bramble, spiced Cabernet Franc giving backbone and direction. Quite a bit of smoked cedar spice comes in on the end, just overshadowing the brightness and overall sense of fun to this. Well worked with promise." - Georgina Hindle, Decanter, (04/01/2022), Ratings: 92