Quintus 2022 (3.0L)

96-97 JS / 94-96 WI / 94 JA / 94 DE / 92-94 VM / 92-94 WA

Black berry and lead pencil on the nose with fresh flowers. Some rose stems, too. Full-bodied with racy and fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Complex and intense in flavor, it remains full of energy and verve. 58.5% merlot and 41.5% cabernet franc. - James Suckling

A blend of 58.5% Merlot and 41.5% Cabernet Franc, aging in 38.9% oak, the 2022 Quintus has a deep garnet-purple color. It needs a little swirling to reveal notes of crushed blackberries, juicy blueberries, and black raspberries, followed by touches of pencil shavings, cinnamon stick, clove oil, and crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with rich, opulent black fruits, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

Rich and luscious in feel, with intense bright berry fruits set against fennel, anis, bittter black chocolate. The alcohol is bringing some heat on the finish, and this is fully charged, but the slate, chalky edge to the tannins is welcoming, and there is clear complexity here. 38% new oak. No outside consultant. 3.7ph, 38% of production in the first wine. 42ha in production since addition of Grand Pontet in 2021. Audrey Bernard joined the technical team in March 2021 direct from Opus One, plus new director Mariette Veyssiere. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Rich, bold and muscular, supple and generous. Sleek with well defined edges to the ripe blackcurrant and cherry fruit - lively and bright, balanced acidity with some salty minerality. You can feel the concentration in the depth and intensity of the fruit but this has definition and such purity. Really well worked, on the strong side, you feel a bit more of the hot vintage here in the slightly narrow finish and spice throughout. Lovely mouth filling texture, lots of complexity, nuance and strength. This will have fans. 3.7pH. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

The 2022 Quintus represents the first vintage with the full 42 hectares in production after the acquisition of Château Grand Pontet. It contains the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc at 41.5% of the blend. Matured in 39% new oak, it has an opulent but delineated and fresh bouquet, very focused and pure, black cherries, hints of cassis and light iris flower aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins, layered dark berry fruit laced with black tea and black pepper. Nicely structured on the finish. The Cabernet component lends a subtle savory touch. It will need several years in bottle, but this is a classy Saint-Émilion that should age well over two or three decades. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

The 2022 Quintus, one of the best wines produced at this estate, reveals aromas of dark berries, licorice, ripe plum, spices, and hints of graphite. It’s fleshy and concentrated, precise and crystalline, with a tensile, chalky profile, velvety tannins and a vibrant, penetratingly saline finish. The integration of fruit from Grand Pontet recently acquired by the Dillon group means that the blend now contains fully 41.5% Cabernet Franc, bringing more mid-palate structure and amplifying Quintus's limestone-influenced character. - Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate