Appellations

Quintus 2017

St Emilion

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Tasting Notes

The 2017 Quintus is an attractive, fragrant Saint-Émilion. In this tasting, the two wines off the estate are not as markedly different as I had hoped. It will be interesting to see how the wines develop over time. Bright red cherry fruit and lifted floral notes open up nicely, with a touch of Franc character that informs the finish.

Score: 89 - 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 May 2018

The 2017 Quintus was picked 14 to 29 September. It has a pretty, rather compact bouquet that clearly lacks the complexity of the 2015 or 2016 like so many Saint-Émilions. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. There is a tight ball of slightly ferrous dark berry fruit mixed with brown spice, although the finish feels easy-going and does not deliver the complexity of a top-drawer vintage. As such, I feel this will be suitable for early drinking rather than a vin de garde.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2020-2027 Date: 01 May 2018

A blend of 54.4% Merlot and 45.6% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Quintus has a slightly closed nose with aromas of crushed blueberries, fresh black and red currants and black raspberries with touches of black pepper, cinnamon stick, anise and tilled soil plus a waft of lavender. The palate is medium to full-bodied with great intensity and energy, displaying vibrant red and black fruits with wonderful acidity and ripe, rounded tannins, finishing long and lively.

Score: 93 - 95 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 27 April 2018

There's a light floral note here, sweetly aromatic. Lifted, pure dark fruit with an aroma of graphite giving a mineral character. Juicy, mouth-watering and scented on the palate but could do with a little more flesh in the middle to balance that freshness.

Score: 16 - 17 Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2030 Date: 25 April 2018

A significantly shifted blend due to the high quality of the Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Château Quintus is 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc (it’s normally a 70/30 Merlot Cabernet Franc split) that's all from the upper plateau and more limestone soils. Black cherries, black raspberries, crushed flowers, forest floor and damp earth characteristics all give way to a medium to full-bodied, beautiful, elegant and seamless 2017 that has the purity and elegance of the vintage.

Score: 92 - 94 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 23 April 2018

Very fine and polished with blackberry and blueberry character. Medium to full body, integrated tannins and a focused finish. Almost Burgundian.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 03 April 2018

This is rather attractively marked by Cabernet Franc, the highest levels since 2011, showing floral aromatics that play along the palate. Insisting, grippy tannins make their presence felt without being drying, and there's a lovely minerally, slatey, salty tang on the finish which emphasises the purity of the red fruits. This is a very good Quintus, elegant and with less concentration than in recent years, but highly enjoyable. Harvested 14-29 September.

Score: 93 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2025-2040 Date: 01 April 2018