Château Quintus 2020

Intriguing herbal spice on the nose, licorice, tea; full entry, smooth evolution, firm, finely chiselled tannins, good tension and length, only the fiery finish slightly disrupts the harmony.

Exuberant and confident, with powerful damson and black cherry fruit flavours on the nose. Chocolate and liquorice run through the palate from beginning to end, and this is full of signature St-Emilion glamour. It has a round and supple texture through the mid palate, but the alcohol hides some of the limestone nuance at this point — it will no doubt emerge more clearly with 8 to 10 years in bottle. Harvest on 11 September for the Merlot grapes and 23 September for the Cabernet Franc.

Supple, fresh, and vibrant with layers of silky fruits, accents of salty rocks and stones, flowers, spice, and red pit fruits, the wine is sensuous, polished, and energetic on the palate and in the finish. There is a beautiful purity and refinement in the finish that makes you want to take another sip. The wine blends 62.5% Merlot with 37.5% Cabernet Franc, 15.2% ABV. Drink from 2025-2047.

Dark ruby colour with purple reflections, brightening at the rim. Enchanting nose of tobacco interwoven with blackberry and delicate floral notes. Luscious cherry, smooth-textured, well-structured, mineral and zesty, nuances of cassis, balanced, with great ageing potential.

The nose shows high ripeness yet a good sense of freshness, with darker fruit notes, blackberry, cassis and well-integrated oak. The palate offers good density in a medium body, ripe tannins and fresh acidity beneath attractive dark fruit, finishing with fine length.

Deep purple with an opaque core and violet highlights. Playful bouquet of violets, blueberries and morello cherry juice, backed by licorice and elderberry jelly. On the dense palate, soft texture, ripe extract, well-supported tannins, lively acidity and medium body. Aromatic finish with blackcurrant, noticeable terroir-driven spice and tarragon.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: fresh, spicy, floral bouquet, currants, chalk, mint, brown chocolate. Delicate, fragrant palate with fine, sweet fruit, subtle tannins, a gently creamy texture, powerful, fresh aromatics, and a long, fresh finish with sweet after-flavours.

Fresh, spicy, floral bouquet with redcurrants, chalk, mint, brown chocolate. Delicate, fragrant palate with fine, sweet fruit, silky tannins, a gently creamy texture, powerful, fresh aromatics, and a long, fresh finish with sweet echoes. 18/20 2026 - 2045

Bottled in May 2022, the 2020 Quintus is deep garnet-purple in color. It bursts with flamboyant black cherry compote, blueberry preserves, and Christmas cake scents, leading to subtle hints of candied violets, crushed rocks, and camphor. Full-bodied, the palate explodes with energetic black and blue fruits, supported by beautifully plush tannins and an electric backbone of freshness, finishing long and fragrant.

94-95

A nose of concentrated black berries, emanating from an astonishing bouquet of game, scrubland and wild blackberries. A palate of great softness, melting on the tongue like a cassis caress. A smooth talker you can’t help but listen to.

The nose is fruity and offers concentration, freshness, delicacy, and a certain intensity. It reveals notes of pulpy/ripe blackcurrant, boysenberry, and, more subtly, violet, combined with hints of small blue fruits and fleshy wild strawberry, as well as fine touches of violet, camphor, black tea, pepper, subtle hints of nutmeg, and sweet blond tobacco. The palate is fruity, refined, and balanced, offering juiciness, smoothness, freshness, good definition, a certain delicacy, and finesse. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/bright blackcurrant, blackberry, and, more subtly, raspberry, combined with touches of lily, lilac, cornflower, licorice, Madagascar pepper, as well as hints of chocolate, caramelization, fine toasted notes, vanilla, black tea, and cardamom. Good length.