Le Dragon de Quintus 2016

"Blended of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 le Dragon de Quintus leaps from the glass with bold blackberry preserves, stewed plums and wild blueberry scents plus suggestions of new leather, menthol and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black and blue fruit preserves with a velvety frame and lovely spicy sparks on the finish." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (11/30/2018, Interim Issue), Ratings: 90, Drink: 2019-2029

"The 2016 Le Dragon de Quintus is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that was picked between 3 and 20 October. I found that aromatics tightly wound and a little unresponsive when I tasted it at Haut-Brion, though I managed to coax blackcurrant and bilberry scents, a touch of pressed flowers with time. I would like to see more vigor once in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin: blackberry mingling with white pepper and cloves, nicely balanced with commendable presence on the grainy finish. Hopefully the aromatics will wake up with time in barrel and perhaps 12-18 months in bottle." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/28/2017, Issue 230), Ratings: 89-91, Drink: 2020-2028

"Darker cherry and earthier notes emerge from the 2016 Le Dragon de Quintus, a medium-bodied, ripe, impressive second wine that has good sweetness of fruit as well as purity. It plays in the more elegant style of the vintage and is perfect for drinking over the coming decade." Jeb Dunnuck, Jebdunnuck.com, Rating: 90, Drink: 2019-2029

Le Dragon de Quintus is the second wine of Château Quintus, formerly known as Château Tertre Daugay, a Classified Growth of Saint-Émilion. The owners of Château Haut-Brion, one of the five venerable First Growths names, bought the property in 2011 and brought in its management team and practice to remake this wine. Here is your chance to sample its potential before forking over a larger sum for the main label (Château Quintus routinely sells for $125, and the price of Château Haut-Brion can approach $500).